Role of Trp19 and Tyr200 in catalysis by the γ-class carbonic anhydrase from Methanosarcina thermophila

Although widely distributed in Nature, only two γ class carbonic anhydrases are reported besides the founding member (Cam). Although roles for active-site residues important for catalysis have been identified in Cam, second shell residues have not been investigated. Two residues (Trp19 and Tyr200), positioned distant from the catalytic metal, were investigated by structural and kinetic analyses of replacement variants. Steady-state kcat/Km and kcat values decreased 3- to 10-fold for the Trp19 variants whereas the Y200 variants showed up to a 5-fold increase in kcat. Rate constants for proton transfer decreased up to 10-fold for the Trp19 variants, and an increase of ∼2-fold for Y200F. The pKa values for the proton donor decreased 1–2 pH units for Trp19 and Y200 variants. The variant structures revealed a loop composed of residues 62–64 that occupies a different conformation than previously reported. The results show that, although Trp19 and Y200 are non-essential, they contribute to an extended active-site structure distant from the catalytic metal that fine tunes catalysis. Trp19 is important for both CO2/bicarbonate interconversion, and the proton transfer step of catalysis.

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► Cam is the founding member of the γ class of carbonic anhydrases.
► W19 and Y200 contribute to the active-site structure that fine tunes catalysis.
► W19 is important for the CO2/HCO3- exchange and proton transfer steps of catalysis.
► Replacement of W19 and Y200 yields conformational changes near the surface.