The active site and substrate binding mode of 1-aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylate oxidase of Fuji apple (Malus domesticus L.) determined by site directed mutagenesis and comparative modeling studies

Active sites and substrate bindings of 1-aminoxyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase (MD-ACO1) catalyzing the oxidative conversion of ACC to ethylene have been determined based on site-directed mutagenesis and comparative modeling methods. Molecular modeling based on the crystal structure of Isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS) provided MD-ACO1 structure. MD-ACO1 protein folds into a compact jelly roll shape, consisting of 9 ${\alpha}$-helices, 10 ${\beta}$-strands and several long loops. The MD-ACO1/ACC/Fe(II)/Ascorbate complex conformation was determined from automated docking program, AUTODOCK. The MD-ACO1/Fell complex model was consistent with well known binding motif information (HIS177-ASP179-HIS234). The cosubstrate, ascorbate is placed between iron binding pocket and Arg244 of MD-ACO1 enzyme, supporting the critical role of Arg244 for generating reaction product. These findings are strongly supported by previous biochemical data as well as site-directed mutagenesis data. The structure of enzyme/substrate suggests the structural mechanism for the biochemical role as well as substrate specificity of MD-ACO1 enzyme.