The Puzzle of Ligand Binding to Corynebacterium ammoniagenes FAD Synthetase

Abstract

In bacteria, riboflavin phosphorylation and subsequent conversion of FMN into FAD are carried out by FAD synthetase, a single bifunctional enzyme. Both reactions require ATP and Mg(2+). The N-terminal domain of FAD synthetase appears to be responsible for the adenylyltransferase activity, whereas the C-terminal domain would be in charge of the kinase activity. Binding to Corynebacterium ammoniagenes FAD synthetase of its products and substrates, as well as of several analogues, is analyzed. Binding parameters for adenine nucleotides to each one of the two adenine nucleotide sites are reported. In addition, it is demonstrated for the first time that the enzyme presents two independent flavin sites, each one related with one of the enzymatic activities. The binding parameters of flavins to these sites are also provided. The presence of Mg(2+) and of both adenine nucleotides and flavins cooperatively modulates the interaction parameters for the other ligands. Our data also suggest that during its double catalytic cycle FAD synthetase must suffer conformational changes induced by adenine nucleotide-Mg(2+) or flavin binding. They might include not only rearrangement of the different protein loops but also alternative conformations between domains.