Abstract
Ferredoxin (Fdx) is regarded as the main electron carrier in biological
electron transfer and acts as an electron donor in metabolic pathways of
many organisms. Here, we screened a self-sufficient P450-derived
reductase PRF with promising NADPH reduction activity and 9OHAD
production yield and proved the importance of [2Fe-2S] clusters of
Fdx-containing oxidoreductase in transferring electrons in steroidal
conversion. The truncated Fdx domain in all oxidoreductases, together
with mutagenesis data, further elucidated the indispensable role of
[2Fe-2S] clusters in the electron transfer process. By adding the
independent plant-type Fdx to the reaction system, the AD conversion
rate have been significantly improved. A novel efficient electron
transfer pathway of PRF+Fdx+KshA in the reaction system rather than
KshAB complex system was proposed based on analysis of protein-protein
interactions and redox potential measurement. Adding free Fdx created a
new conduit for electrons to travel from reductase to oxygenase. This
electron transfer pathway provides new insight for the development of
efficient exogenous Fdx as an electron carrier.