Cobalamins insertion reactions

Naturally, the biosynthesis of cobalamins themselves require delivery of Co ions at a particular point in the reaction scheme. Cobaltochelatase catalyzes the ATP-dependent insertion of Co11 into the corrin ring during the biosynthesis of coenzyme B12 in Pseudomonas denitrifleans. Cobaltochelatase is a heterodimeric enzyme (140 KDA and 450 KDA subunits each inactive in isolation), and the two components have been isolated and purified to homogeneity.1119 The reaction product is divalent cobyrinic acid, demonstrating that hydrogenobyrinic acid and its diamide (255) are precursors of AdoCbl. 

Perhaps the best-characterized example of this mechanism involves the synthesis of heme cofactors and their subsequent incorporation into various hemoproteins (see Iron Heme Proteins Electron Transport). Succinctly, enzyme-catalyzed reactions convert either succinyl-CoA or glutamate into 5-ammolevulinic acid. This molecule is further converted through a series of intermediates to form protoporphyrin IX, the metal-ffee cofactor, into which Fe is inserted by ferrochelatase. Analogous reactions are required for the synthesis of other tetrapyrrole macrocycles such as the cobalamins (see Cobalt Bu Enzymes Coenzymes), various types of chlorophylls, and the methanogen coenzyme F430 (containing Co, Mg, or Ni, respectively). Co- and Mg-chelatases have been described for insertion of these metals into the appropriate tetrapyrrolic ring structures. ... 

All known ACS enzymes are bifunctional in that they possess a C cluster with COdFI activity in addition to an A cluster (the ACS active site. Scheme 9). In the enzymes, a CO tunnel is described through which GO can pass directly from the C cluster, where it is generated from CO2, to the A cluster, where acetyl GoA synthesis takes place. Again, two mechanisms were proposed that differ in the order of binding events and redox states involved. In essence, however, GO binds to an Ni-GHs species, followed by insertion and generation of an Ni-acetyl species, which upon reaction with GoA liberates the acetyl GoA product. It is interesting to note that methylation of Ni occurs by reaction with methyl cobalamin (Scheme 7). In M. thermoacetica, the cobalamin is the cofactor for a rather unique protein called the corrinoid iron sulfur protein (GFeSP). The above process, even if mechanistic details still remain in question, resembles the industrial Monsanto acetic acid synthesis process (Scheme 9, bottom). In this case, however, the reaction is catalyzed by a low-valent Rh catalyst. 

Photolysis of [Co(CH2R)(L)(Hdmg)2] under oxygen proceeds by insertion of dioxygen into the cobalt carbon bond to provide a solution species for which nmr spectroscopic data is rq)orted. Reduction of this intermediate produces primary alcohols whereas thermolysis produces aldehydes and alcohols. Treatment of [Co oep)] with simple aldehydes and rm-butylhydroperoxide in the presence of sodium borohydride produces cobalt(III) acyls in 65-98% yields. In the absence of the borohydride the yield is reduced. The reaction is proposed to proceed by acyl radical trapping by the Co(n) centre. Methyl transfer in a protein free model of vitamin B12 dependent methyl transf enzymes has been studied. These systems convert homocysteine to methionine in nature. Trimethyl-phenylammonium icm reacts with the CoG) centre in cobalamin producing methylcobalamin. ... 

---