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Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Biochemical and Structural Characterization of the Carbohydrate Transport Substrate-binding-protein SP0092
Published on: October 2, 2017
Crystal Structure and Biochemical Characterization of Ketol-Acid Reductoisomerase from Corynebacterium glutamicum
Donghoon Lee1,2, Jiyeon Hong1,2, Kyung-Jin Kim1,2
1School of Life Sciences, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group , Kyungpook National University , Daehak-ro 80, Buk-ku , Daegu 702-701 , Korea.
Abstract:
l-Valine belongs to the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and is an essential amino acid that is crucial for all living organisms. l-Valine is industrially produced by the nonpathogenic bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum and is synthesized by the BCAA biosynthetic pathway. Ketol-acid reductoisomerase (KARI) is the second enzyme in the BCAA pathway and catalyzes the conversion of (S)-2-acetolactate into (R)-2,3-dihydroxy-isovalerate, or the conversion of (S)-2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate into (R)-2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylvalerate. To elucidate the enzymatic properties of KARI from C. glutamicum (CgKARI), we successfully produced CgKARI protein and determined its crystal structure in complex with NADP+ and two Mg2+ ions. Based on the complex structure, docking simulations, and site-directed mutagenesis experiments, we revealed that CgKARI belongs to Class I KARI and identified key residues involved in stabilization of the substrate, metal ions, and cofactor. Furthermore, we confirmed the difference in the binding of metal ions that depended on the conformational change.
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