Single-atom substitution redirects KatG reactivity from cofactor biogenesis to stereoselective sulfoxidation

Abstract

Abstract Protein-derived cofactors rely on precisely positioned heteroatoms to direct redox chemistry, yet isolating their individual contributions remains challenging. The indole N–H of tryptophan plays a central yet elusive role in biogenesis and function of the Met–Tyr–Trp (MYW) cofactor in catalase-peroxidase (KatG). Here, we use genetic code expansion to replace cofactor-forming Trp105 with thiotryptophan (S-Trp), enabling a single-heteroatom (N → S) substitution. Instead of forming the MYW crosslink, KatG bearing S-Trp105 undergoes site-specific monooxygenation to yield a chiral sulfoxide. HPLC-MS, circular dichroism, and FT-IR spectroscopy identify selective oxygen insertion at the sulfur, establishing enantioselective formation of an ( S )-configured sulfoxide. A 2.22 Å cryo-EM structure visualizes the oxidized S-Trp105, revealing the S = O moiety orienting toward the iron and confirming the absence of crosslinking. The S-atom oxygenation is heme-dependent and proceeds via a two-electron oxygen-atom transfer, contrasting with the radical-mediated one-electron chemistry of native tryptophan. This redirection suppresses catalase activity by perturbing cofactor formation. These results show that a single-atom substitution reroutes the distal heme site from radical crosslinking to stereoselective sulfoxidation, uncovering a monooxygenase-like capability within KatG. This work highlights using noncanonical amino acids to achieve atomic-level control over reaction pathways and to interrogate cofactor biogenesis with unprecedented precision.