Modulating Enzyme Function via Dynamic Allostery within Biliverdin Reductase B

The biliverdin reductase B (BLVRB) class of enzymes catalyze the NADPH-dependent reduction of multiple flavin substrates and are emerging as critical players in cellular redox regulation. However, the role of dynamics and allostery have not been addressed, prompting studies here that have revealed a position 15 Å away from the active site within human BLVRB (T164) that is inherently dynamic and can be mutated to control global micro-millisecond motions and function. By comparing the inherent dynamics through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation approaches of evolutionarily distinct BLVRB homologues and by applying our previously developed Relaxation And Single Site Multiple Mutations (RASSMM) approach that monitors both the functional and dynamic effects of multiple mutations to the single T164 site, we have discovered that the most dramatic mutagenic effects coincide with evolutionary changes and these modulate coenzyme binding. Thus, evolutionarily changing sites distal to the active site serve as dynamic “dials” to globally modulate motions and function. Despite the distal dynamic and functional coupling modulated by this site, micro-millisecond motions span an order of magnitude in their apparent kinetic rates of motions. Thus, global dynamics within BLVRB are a collection of partially coupled motions tied to catalytic function.