Heterologous production, reconstitution and EPR spectroscopic analysis of prFMN dependent enzymes

The recent discovery of the prenylated FMN (prFMN) cofactor has led to a renewed interest in the prFMN-dependent UbiD family of enzymes. The latter catalyses the reversible decarboxylation of alpha-beta unsaturated carboxylic acids and features widely in microbial metabolism. The flavin prenyltransferase UbiX synthesizes prFMN from reduced FMN and phosphorylated dimethylallyl precursors. Oxidative maturation of the resulting prFMN^reduced species to the active prFMN^iminium form is required for UbiD activity. Heterologous production of active holo-UbiD requires co-expression of UbiX, but the levels of prFMN incorporation and oxidative maturation appear variable. Detailed protocols and strategies for in vitro reconstitution and oxidative maturation of UbiD are presented that can yield an alternative source of active holo-UbiD for biochemical studies.