In enzymology, formate C-acetyltransferase (pyruvate formate lyase) is an enzyme. Pyruvate formate lyase is found in Escherichia coli and other organisms. It helps regulate anaerobic glucose metabolism. Using radical non-redox chemistry, it catalyzes the reversible conversion of pyruvate and coenzyme-A into formate and acetyl-CoA. The reaction occurs as follows: This enzyme belongs to the family of transferases, specifically those acyltransferases transferring groups other than aminoacyl groups. The systematic name of this enzyme class is acetyl-CoA:formate C-acetyltransferase. Other names in common use include pyruvate formate-lyase, pyruvic formate-lyase, and formate acetyltransferase. This enzyme participates in 3 metabolic pathways: pyruvate metabolism, propanoate metabolism, and butanoate metabolism.

Structural studies

As of late 2007, 8 structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with PDB accession codes, , , , , , , and. Pyruvate formate lyase is a homodimer made of 85 kDa, 759-residue subunits. It has a 10-stranded beta/alpha barrel motif into which is inserted a beta finger that contains major catalytic residues. The active site of the enzyme, elucidated by x-ray crystallography, holds three essential amino acids that perform catalysis (Gly734, Cys418, and Cys419), three major residues that hold the substrate pyruvate close by (Arg435, Arg176, and Ala272), and two flanking hydrophobic residues (Trp333 and Phe432). Studies have found structural similarities between the active site of pyruvate formate lyase and that of Class I and Class III ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) enzymes.

Mechanism

Roles of the three catalytic residues

It has been shown that:

Steps

Note that each step is reversible.

Regulation

Two additional enzymes regulate the “on” and “off” states of pyruvate formate lyase to regulate anaerobic glucose metabolism: pyruvate formate lyase activase (AE) and pyruvate formate lyase deactivase. Activated pyruvate formate lyase allows formation of acetyl-CoA, a small molecule important in the production of energy, when pyruvate is available. Deactivated pyruvate formate lyase, even with substrates present, does not catalyze the reaction. Pyruvate formate lyase activase is part of the radical SAM (S-adenosylmethionine) superfamily. The enzyme turns pyruvate formate lyase “on” by converting Gly734 (G-H) into a Gly734 radical (G*) via a 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical (via a radical SAM). For more information about radical SAM activation and radical SAM enzymes, see the discussion by Wang et al., 2007. Pyruvate formate lyase deactivase turns pyruvate formate lyase “off” by quenching the Gly734 radical. Furthermore, pyruvate formate lyase is sensitive to molecular oxygen (O2), the presence of which shuts the enzyme off.