Citrate Synthase

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(The Structure and Mechanism of Citrate Synthase)
(The Structure and Mechanism of Citrate Synthase)
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==The Structure and Mechanism of Citrate Synthase==
==The Structure and Mechanism of Citrate Synthase==
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{{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.
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{{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.
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'''Structure:''' Citrate synthase is a single amino acid chain <scene name='Daniel_Eddelman_Sandbox_2/Cts_open_monomer/1'target='0'>monomer</scene>. Biologically, however, it exists as a
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'''Structure:''' Citrate synthase is a single amino acid chain <scene name='Daniel_Eddelman_Sandbox_2/Cts_open_monomer/1'>monomer</scene>. Biologically, however, it exists as a
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<scene name='Daniel_Eddelman_Sandbox_2/Cts_open_monomer/2'target='0'>homodimer</scene>. Each identical subunit consists of a large and a small domain, and is comprised almost entirely of α helices (making it an all α protein). 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 (bottom image, PDB: [[2cts]]). This conformational change not only prevents solvent from reaching the bound substrate, but also generates the acetyl-CoA binding site. This presence of “open” and “closed” forms results in citrate synthase having Ordered Sequential kinetic behavior.
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<scene name='Daniel_Eddelman_Sandbox_2/Cts_open_monomer/2'>homodimer</scene>. Each identical subunit consists of a large and a small domain, and is comprised almost entirely of α helices (making it an all α protein). 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 substrate, 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, three ionizable side chains in the
'''Mechanism:''' The reaction mechanism for citrate synthase was proposed by James Remington. In this mechanism, three ionizable side chains in the
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<applet load='2cts' size='350' color='white' frame='true' align='right' name='closed' caption='Citrate Synthase Closed Form'/>

Revision as of 17:25, 21 March 2010

The 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 is a single amino acid chain . Biologically, however, it exists as a . Each identical subunit consists of a large and a small domain, and is comprised almost entirely of α helices (making it an all α protein). 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 substrate, 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, three ionizable side chains in the of citrate synthase participate in acid-base catalysis: His 274, His 320, and Asp 375. First, (a base) removes a proton from the methyl group of acetyl-CoA to form its enol. stabilizes the acetyl-CoA enolate by forming a hydrogen bond with the enolate oxygen. The enolate then nucleophilically attacks oxaloacetate’s carbonyl carbon, and 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














Citrate Synthase Closed Form

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