Activity-enhancing mutations in an LmrR-based artificial metalloenzyme destabilize the protein scaffold and alter its conformational plasticity

Artificial metalloenzymes (ArM) hold great potential for the sustainable catalysis of complex new-to-nature reactions. To efficiently improve the catalytic efficacy of ArMs a rational approach is desirable, requiring detailed molecular insight into their conformational landscape. Lactococcal multidrug resistance regulator (LmrR) is a multi-purpose ArM scaffold protein that when bound to the Cu(II)-phenanthroline cofactor catalyzes the Friedel-Crafts Alkylation (FCA) of indoles. Previously, the M8D and A92E mutations were found to increase the efficiency of this reaction, but a molecular explanation has been lacking. We here determined the impact of these two activating mutations on the conformational landscape of LmrR in its apo, cofactor- and substrate-bound state. We found that the mutations cause a marked destabilization of the dimerization interface, resulting in a more opened central hydrophobic cavity and a dynamic equilibrium between dimer and monomer LmrR. While mutant and wild-type have similar pocket conformation in the cofactor-bound state, the mutant shows a distinct interaction with the substrate. Our results suggest that increased retention of the catalytic cofactor and widened plasticity improve activity of the mutant. Ultimately, these results help elucidating the intricate relationships between conformational dynamics of the protein scaffold, cofactor and substrates that define catalytic activity.