The Riboflavin synthase monomer is 23kDa. Each monomer contains two beta-barrels and one α-helix at the C-terminus (residues 186-206.) The monomer folds into pseudo two-fold symmetry, predicted by sequence similarity between the N-terminus barrels (residues 4-86) and the C-terminus barrel (residues 101-184). The enzyme from different species adopts different quaternary structures, from monomeric to 60 subunits
Two 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine (Lumazine synthase) molecules are hydrogen bound to each monomer as the two domains are topologically similar. The active site is located in the interface of the substrates between monomer pairs and modeled structures of the active site dimer have been created. Only one of the active sites of the enzyme catalyze riboflavin formation at a time as the other two sites face outward and are exposed to solvent. The amino acid residues involved in hydrogen bonding to the ligand are pictured, participating residues may include Thr148, Met160, Ile162, Thr165, Val6, Tyr164, Ser146, and Gly96 at the C-terminal domain and Ser41, Thr50, Gly 62, Ala64, Ser64, Val103, Cys48, His102 at the N-terminal domain.
At the interface of the substrate between monomer pairs, the enzyme holds the two 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine molecules in position via hydrogen bonding to catalyze the dismutation reaction. Additionally, acid/base catalysis by the amino acid residues has been suggested. Specific residues may include the His102/Thr148 dyad as a base for deprotonation of the C7a methyl group. Of the dyad, His102 is from the N-barrel and Thr148 is from the C-barrel, highlighting the importance of the proximity of the two subunits of the enzyme in the early stages of the reaction. It has also been suggested that the identity of the nucleophile is one of the following conserved residues: Ser146, Ser41, Cys48, or Thr148, or water in the uncatalyzed reaction. In studies on the role of Cys48 as a possible nucleophile, it has not been determined if nucleophilic displacement occurs via an SN1 or SN2 reaction.
Scientists have hypothesized that enzymes involved in the riboflavin biosynthesis pathway, including riboflavin synthase, can be used to develop antibacterial drugs in order to treat infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts. This hypothesis is based on the inability of Gram-negative bacteria, such as E. coli and S. typhimurium, to uptake riboflavin from the external environment. As Gram-negative bacteria need to produce their own riboflavin, inhibiting riboflavin synthase or other enzymes involved in the pathway may be useful tools in developing antibacterial drugs.
The most potent riboflavin synthase inhibitor is 9-D-ribityl-1,3,7-trihydropurine-2,6,8-trione, with Ki value of 0.61 μM. 9-D-ribityl-1,3,7-trihydropurine-2,6,8-trione is thought to work through competitive inhibition with 6,7-dimethyl-8-ribityllumazine.
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