Citrate Synthase: Difference between revisions

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==The Structure and Mechanism of Citrate Synthase==
==The Structure and Mechanism of Citrate Synthase==
{{STRUCTURE_1cts |  PDB=1cts |  SCENE=  }}{{STRUCTURE_2cts |  PDB=2cts |  SCENE=  }}Citrate synthase is an enzyme active in the mitochondria, where it is responsible for catalyzing the first reaction of the citric acid cycle (Krebs Cycle): the condensation of acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate to form citrate.
{{STRUCTURE_1cts |  PDB=1cts  |  SCENE=  }}Citrate synthase is an enzyme active in the mitochondria, where it is responsible for catalyzing the first reaction of the citric acid cycle (Krebs Cycle): the condensation of acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate to form citrate.
    
    
'''Structure:''' Citrate synthase exists as a homodimer.  Each identical subunit is comprised almost entirely of α helices (making it an all α protein) and consists of a large and a small domain.  In its free enzyme state, citrate synthase exists in “open” form, with its two domains forming a  
'''Structure:''' Citrate synthase exists as a <scene name='Daniel_Eddelman_Sandbox_2/Cts_homodimer/1'>homodimer</scene>.  Each identical subunit is comprised almost entirely of α helices (making it an all α protein) and consists of a large and a small domain.  In its free enzyme state, citrate synthase exists in “open” form, with its two domains forming a cleft containing the substrate (oxaloacetate) binding site (PDB: [[1cts]]) <ref>PMID:7120407</ref>.  When oxaloacetate binds, the smaller domain undergoes an 18° rotation, sealing the oxaloacetate binding site and resulting in the “closed” conformation (PDB: [[2cts]]).  This conformational change not only prevents solvent from reaching the bound oxaloacetate, but also generates the acetyl-CoA binding site.  This presence of “open” and “closed” forms results in citrate synthase having Ordered Sequential kinetic behavior.
<scene name='Daniel_Eddelman_Sandbox_2/Binding_cleft/2'>cleft containing the substrate (oxaloacetate) binding site</scene> (PDB: [[1cts]]) <ref>PMID:7120407</ref>.  When oxaloacetate binds, the smaller domain undergoes an 18° rotation, sealing the oxaloacetate binding site and resulting in the “closed” conformation (PDB: [[2cts]]).  This conformational change not only prevents solvent from reaching the bound oxaloacetate, but also generates the acetyl-CoA binding site.  This presence of “open” and “closed” forms results in citrate synthase having Ordered Sequential kinetic behavior.


'''Mechanism:''' The reaction mechanism for citrate synthase was proposed by James Remington.  In this mechanism, ionizable side chains of citrate synthase participate in acid-base catalysis: His 274, His 320, and Asp 375.  First, Asp 375 (a base) removes a proton from the methyl group of acetyl-CoA to form its enol.  His 274 stabilizes the acetyl-CoA enolate by forming a hydrogen bond with the enolate oxygen.  The enolate then nucleophilically attacks oxaloacetate’s carbonyl carbon, and His 320 donates a proton to oxaloacetate’s carbonyl group in a concerted step, forming citryl-CoA (which remains bound to the enzyme).  Finally, citryl-CoA is hydrolyzed to citrate and CoA.
'''Mechanism:''' The reaction mechanism for citrate synthase was proposed by James Remington.  In this mechanism, ionizable side chains of citrate synthase participate in acid-base catalysis: His 274, His 320, and Asp 375.  First, Asp 375 (a base) removes a proton from the methyl group of acetyl-CoA to form its enol.  His 274 stabilizes the acetyl-CoA enolate by forming a hydrogen bond with the enolate oxygen.  The enolate then nucleophilically attacks oxaloacetate’s carbonyl carbon, and His 320 donates a proton to oxaloacetate’s carbonyl group in a concerted step, forming citryl-CoA (which remains bound to the enzyme).  Finally, citryl-CoA is hydrolyzed to citrate and CoA.

Revision as of 06:18, 28 February 2010

The Structure and Mechanism of Citrate SynthaseThe Structure and Mechanism of Citrate Synthase

Template:STRUCTURE 1ctsCitrate synthase is an enzyme active in the mitochondria, where it is responsible for catalyzing the first reaction of the citric acid cycle (Krebs Cycle): the condensation of acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate to form citrate.

Structure: Citrate synthase exists as a . Each identical subunit is comprised almost entirely of α helices (making it an all α protein) and consists of a large and a small domain. In its free enzyme state, citrate synthase exists in “open” form, with its two domains forming a cleft containing the substrate (oxaloacetate) binding site (PDB: 1cts) [1]. When oxaloacetate binds, the smaller domain undergoes an 18° rotation, sealing the oxaloacetate binding site and resulting in the “closed” conformation (PDB: 2cts). This conformational change not only prevents solvent from reaching the bound oxaloacetate, but also generates the acetyl-CoA binding site. This presence of “open” and “closed” forms results in citrate synthase having Ordered Sequential kinetic behavior.

Mechanism: The reaction mechanism for citrate synthase was proposed by James Remington. In this mechanism, ionizable side chains of citrate synthase participate in acid-base catalysis: His 274, His 320, and Asp 375. First, Asp 375 (a base) removes a proton from the methyl group of acetyl-CoA to form its enol. His 274 stabilizes the acetyl-CoA enolate by forming a hydrogen bond with the enolate oxygen. The enolate then nucleophilically attacks oxaloacetate’s carbonyl carbon, and His 320 donates a proton to oxaloacetate’s carbonyl group in a concerted step, forming citryl-CoA (which remains bound to the enzyme). Finally, citryl-CoA is hydrolyzed to citrate and CoA.





  1. Remington S, Wiegand G, Huber R. Crystallographic refinement and atomic models of two different forms of citrate synthase at 2.7 and 1.7 A resolution. J Mol Biol. 1982 Jun 15;158(1):111-52. PMID:7120407

Proteopedia Page Contributors and Editors (what is this?)Proteopedia Page Contributors and Editors (what is this?)

Daniel Eddelman, David Canner, Wayne Decatur, Michal Harel, Eric Martz, Alexander Berchansky, Angel Herraez, Joel L. Sussman