Structural investigation of the cofactor-free chloroperoxidases

The structures of cofactor-free haloperoxidases from Streptomyces aureofaciens, Streptomyces lividans, and Pseudomonas fluorescens have been deter mined at resolutions between 1.9 Angstrom and 1.5 Angstrom. The structures of two enzymes complexed with benzoate or propionate identify the binding site for the organic acids which are required for the haloperoxidase activity. Based on these complexes and on the structure of an inactive variant, a reaction mechanism is proposed for the halogenation reaction with peroxoacid and hypohalous acid as reaction intermediates. Comparison of the structures suggests that a specific halide binding site is absent in the enzymes but that hydrophobic organic compounds may fit into the active site pocket for halogenation at preferential sites. (C) 1998 Academic Press Limited.