Structure, oligomerization, and thermal stability of a recently
discovered Old Yellow Enzyme
Abstract
The Old Yellow Enzyme from Ferrovum sp. JA12 (FOYE) displays an
unusual thermal stability for an enzyme isolated from a mesophilic
organism. We determined the crystal structure of this enzyme and
performed a bioinformatic characterization to get insights into its
thermal stability. The enzyme displays a tetrameric quaternary
structure, but unlike the other tetrameric homologs, it clusters in a
separate phylogenetic group and possesses unique interactions that
stabilize the oligomerization. The thermal stability of this enzyme is
due mainly to an unusually high number of intramolecular hydrogen bonds.
Finally, this study provides a general analysis of the forces driving
the oligomerization in Old Yellow Enzymes.