On the interpretation of quantitative structure–function activity relationship data for lactate oxidase

The native flavin, FMN, has been removed from the l -lactate oxidase of Aerococcus viridans , and the apoprotein reconstituted with 12 FMN derivatives with various substituents at the flavin 6- and 8-positions. Impressive linear relationships are exhibited between the sum of the Hammett σ para and σ ortho parameters and the redox potentials of the free flavins, and between the redox potentials of the free and enzyme-bound flavins. Rapid reaction kinetics studies of the reconstituted enzymes with the substrates l -lactate and l -mandelate show an increase in the reduction rate constant with increasing redox potential, except that, with lactate, a limiting rate constant of ≈700 s −1 is obtained with flavins of high potential. Similar breakpoints are found in plots of the rate constants for flavin N5-sulfite adduct formation and for the reaction of the reduced enzymes with molecular oxygen. These results are interpreted in terms of a two-step equilibrium preceding the chemical reaction step, in which the second equilibrium step provides an upper limit to the rate with which the particular substrate or ligand is positioned with the flavin in the correct fashion for the observed chemical reaction to occur. The relationship of rate constants for flavin reduction and N5-sulfite adduct formation with flavin redox potential below the observed breakpoint indicate development of significant negative charge in the transition states of the reactions. In the case of reduction by substrate, the results are consistent either with a hydride transfer mechanism or with the so called “carbanion” mechanism, in which the substrate α-proton is abstracted by an enzyme base protected from exchange with solvent. These conclusions are supported by substrate α-deuterium isotope effects and by solvent viscosity effects on sulfite binding.