Structural basis for inactivation of the human pyruvate dehydrogenase complex by phosphorylation: role of disordered phosphorylation loops

Structure. 2008 Dec 10;16(12):1849-59. doi: 10.1016/j.str.2008.10.010.

Abstract

We report the crystal structures of the phosporylated pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1p) component of the human pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). The complete phosphorylation at Ser264-alpha (site 1) of a variant E1p protein was achieved using robust pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 free of the PDC core. We show that unlike its unmodified counterpart, the presence of a phosphoryl group at Ser264-alpha prevents the cofactor thiamine diphosphate-induced ordering of the two loops carrying the three phosphorylation sites. The disordering of these phosphorylation loops is caused by a previously unrecognized steric clash between the phosphoryl group at site 1 and a nearby Ser266-alpha, which nullifies a hydrogen-bonding network essential for maintaining the loop conformations. The disordered phosphorylation loops impede the binding of lipoyl domains of the PDC core to E1p, negating the reductive acetylation step. This results in the disruption of the substrate channeling in the PDC, leading to the inactivation of this catalytic machine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylation
  • Alanine / metabolism
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • Decarboxylation
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Kinetics
  • Models, Biological
  • Models, Molecular
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / genetics
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase (Lipoamide) / genetics
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase (Lipoamide) / metabolism
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex / chemistry*
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex / genetics
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex / metabolism*
  • Substrate Specificity / genetics
  • Thiamine Pyrophosphate / genetics
  • Thiamine Pyrophosphate / metabolism

Substances

  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex
  • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase (Lipoamide)
  • Protein Kinases
  • pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4
  • Alanine
  • Thiamine Pyrophosphate