De Novo Design of a Self-Assembled Artificial Copper Peptide that Activates and Reduces Peroxide

Copper-containing metalloenzymes constitute a major class of proteins that catalyze a myriad of reactions in nature. Inspired by the structural and functional characteristics of this unique class of metalloenzymes, we report the conception, design, characterization, and functional studies of a de novo artificial copper peptide (ArCuP) within a trimeric self-assembled polypeptide scaffold that activates and reduces peroxide. Using a first-principles approach, the ArCuP was designed to coordinate one Cu via three His residues introduced at an a site of the peptide scaffold. X-ray crystallography, UV–vis, and electron paramagnetic resonance data demonstrate that Cu binds via the N_ε atoms of His forming a T2Cu environment. When reacted with hydrogen peroxide, the putative copper-hydroperoxo species is formed where a reductive priming step accelerates the rate of its formation and reduction. Mass spectrometry was used to identify specific residues undergoing oxidative modification, which showed His oxidation only in the reduced state. The redox behavior of the ArCuP was elucidated by protein film voltammetry. Detailed characterization of the electrocatalytic behavior of the ArCuP led us to determine the catalytic parameters (K_M and k_cat), which established the peroxidase activity of the ArCuP. Combined spectroscopic and electrochemical data showed a pH dependence on the reactivity, which was optimum at pH 7.5.