The active site of magnesium chelatase

Nathan B.P. Adams*, Claudine Bisson, Amanda A. Brindley, David A. Farmer, Paul A. Davison, James D. Reid, C. Neil Hunter

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The insertion of magnesium into protoporphyrin initiates the biosynthesis of chlorophyll, the pigment that underpins photosynthesis. This reaction, catalysed by the magnesium chelatase complex, couples ATP hydrolysis by a ChlID motor complex to chelation within the ChlH subunit. We probed the structure and catalytic function of ChlH using a combination of X-ray crystallography, computational modelling, mutagenesis and enzymology. Two linked domains of ChlH in an initially open conformation of ChlH bind protoporphyrin IX, and the rearrangement of several loops envelops this substrate, forming an active site cavity. This induced fit brings an essential glutamate (E660), proposed to be the key catalytic residue for magnesium insertion, into proximity with the porphyrin. A buried solvent channel adjacent to E660 connects the exterior bulk solvent to the active site, forming a possible conduit for the delivery of magnesium or abstraction of protons.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1491-1502
Number of pages12
JournalNature Plants
Volume6
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2020

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