Mechanistic Evaluation of MelA α-Galactosidase from Citrobacter freundii: A Family 4 Glycosyl Hydrolase in Which Oxidation Is Rate-Limiting

The MelA gene from Citrobacter freundii, which encodes a glycosyl hydrolase family 4 (GH4) α-galactosidase, has been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of phenyl α-galactosides via a redox elimination–addition mechanism involving oxidation of the hydroxyl group at C-3 and elimination of phenol across the C-1–C-2 bond to give an enzyme-bound glycal intermediate. For optimal activity, the MelA enzyme requires two cofactors, NAD+ and Mn2+, and the addition of a reducing agent, such as mercaptoethanol. To delineate the mechanism of action for this GH4 enzyme, we measured leaving group effects, and the derived βlg values on V and V/K are indistinguishable from zero (−0.01 ± 0.02 and 0.02 ± 0.04, respectively). Deuterium kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) were measured for the weakly activated substrate phenyl α-d-galactopyranoside in which isotopic substitution was incorporated at C-1, C-2, or C-3. KIEs of 1.06 ± 0.07, 0.91 ± 0.04, and 1.02 ± 0.06 were measure...