Electrochemical x-ray scattering unlocks secrets of redox enzymes

Researchers make use of small-angle X-ray scattering to reveal potential-dependent structural changes in redox enzymes used in bioelectrochemical devices

Redox enzymes are proteins that catalyse oxidation-reduction reactions, which involve the transfer of electrons between molecules. Redox enzymes are crucial in bioelectrochemical devices, such as biosensors or biofuel cells. For instance, biosensors catalyse reactions that convert biochemical signals into measurable electrical signals, enabling the detection of substances like glucose.

In biofuel cells, redox enzymes convert biological energy into electricity, powering small devices like medical implants. Their ability to facilitate the efficient transfer of electrons between molecules makes them indispensable as a sustainable technology for energy conversion and advanced biological monitoring.

However, to harness their full potential, redox enzymes have to be immobilised on solid surfaces to ensure they are stable, reusable and can interact efficiently with electrodes or substrates. Covalent binding of redox enzymes to electrode surfaces is the most stable and rigid method among the various enzyme immobilisation techniques. This technique, however, can render the enzyme inactive owing to the loss of necessary structural flexibility for enzyme activity by an overly rigid immobilisation.

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To select the right immobilisation technique, it is necessary to understand the various conformations of redox enzymes. Although many techniques exist for studying enzyme structures, examining the structural differences between an enzyme’s reduced and oxidized forms is challenging.

Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) combined with electrochemistry in the fields of battery and fuel cell research. However, this approach has not yet been investigated in the context of biological samples.

To address this gap, a research team led by Associate Professor Isao Shitanda from the Tokyo University of Science (TUS) in Japan, developed a novel method comprising the use of electrochemical-SAXS (EC-SAXS) to analyse the structural differences between the reduced and oxidized states of enzymes. Their findings, were published online in the journal Langmuir. Co-authored by Dr. Noya Loew, Ms. Chiaki Sawahara and Associate Professor Taku Ogura from TUS, and Dr. Yuichi Takasaki from Anton Paar Japan K. K., who investigated the structural differences between the oxidized and reduced forms of bilirubin oxidase (BOD) and found that BOD forms an open or closed state depending on its redox state.

Dr. Shitanda explained the team’s approach: “In this study, we drew insights from mediated spectroelectrochemical titration, in situ SAXS, and SAXS analysis of proteins to develop a novel method for the structural analysis of enzymes in their reduced and oxidised states, which we named EC-SAXS.”

X-ray scattering profiles of electrochemically oxidised and reduced BOD were obtained at pH 8.0, where its redox potential decreased with increasing pH. There were clear differences in the scattering profiles, which followed a similar trend when compared with individual SAXS profiles of chemically oxidised and reduced BOD. From these experiments, the researchers confirmed that reduced BOD maintains a more compact structure than its oxidised form.

High-resolution imaging data further revealed that BOD has an open conformation when oxidised and a closed form when reduced. In EC-SAXS, where 10 times more concentrated phosphate buffer was used, the negatively charged molecules were likely to have penetrated and expanded the structure of BOD, giving it a more open shape when oxidised.

“Notably, the natural substrate for oxidised BOD, bilirubin, which contains two carboxyl groups and is negatively charged, requires access to the active site for reactivity, a process facilitated by the open structure,” commented Dr. Shitanda.

The novel EC-SAXS technique revealed that a small redox-enzyme like BOD can be very flexible during its redox cycle, fluctuating between open and closed structures. Furthermore, this study establishes EC-SAXS as a promising technique for studying potential-dependent structural conformations of redox enzymes, advancing our understanding of the reaction mechanisms of redox enzymes.

“Insights into structural changes during the redox reaction could enhance the development of tailor-made immobilisation strategies, thereby improving the performance of biosensors, biofuel cells, and other bioelectronics,” concluded Dr. Shitanda.

Overall, this method paves the way for developing advanced immobilisation strategies, significantly enhancing the performance of enzyme-based biodevices. These advancements have the potential to revolutionize fields like bioelectronics, biosensors, and biofuel cells, leading to more efficient, sustainable, and scalable technologies.

For further reading please visit: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c03661