Apesar da incidência per capita da tuberculose (TB) ter se mantido estável em 2005, o número de novos casos que surgem a cada ano continua a aumentar no mundo todo. De acordo com a Organização Mundial de Saúde, foram estimados 9,4 milhões de novos casos de TB em 2008, dos quais 1,4 milhões eram HIV - positivos, e com 1,8 milhões de mortes - o equivalente a 4.500 mortes por dia. Fatores como migração, privação sócio-econômica, co-infecção TB-HIV e o aparecimento de cepas resistentes contribuíram para o aumento do número de casos de TB no mundo, principalmente nos países onde a TB já foi considerada erradicada, e criaram a necessidade do desenvolvimento de novas terapêuticas. Alvos moleculares específicos, que são essenciais para o patógeno, e ausentes no hospedeiro, como as enzimas da via do ácido chiquímico são alvos atraentes para o desenvolvimento de novas drogas antituberculose. Essa via leva à síntese de compostos aromáticos, como aminoácidos aromáticos, e é encontrada em plantas, fungos, bactérias e parasitas do phylum Apicomplexa, mas está ausente em humanos. No ano de 2000, foi comprovada a essencialidade dessa via para a viabilidade do bacilo, tornando todas essas enzimas alvos validados para estudo. A segunda enzima da via, deidroquinato sintase (DHQS), catalisa a conversão de 3-deoxi-D-arabino heptulosonato-7-fosfato em 3-deidroquinato, o primeiro composto cíclico. Neste trabalho, são descritos o requerimento de metais divalentes na reação e a determinação do mecanismo cinético da DHQS. Os parâmetros cinéticos verdadeiros foram determinados e, juntamente com os experimentos de ligação, o mecanismo rápido-equilíbrio aleatório foi proposto. O tratamento com EDTA aboliu completamente a atividade de DHQS, sendo que a adição de Co+2 e Zn+2 levam a recuperação total e parcial da atividade enzimática, respectivamente. O excesso de Zn+2 inibe a atividade DHQS, e os dados de ITC indicaram a presença de dois sítios seqüenciais de ligação, o que é consistente com a existência de um sítio secundário inibitório. O protocolo de cristalização foi estabelecido e experimentos em andamento proporcionarão a elucidação da estrutura tridimensional da DHQS, que irá beneficiar tanto o desenho de novos inibidores como uma análise detalhada dos rearranjos do domínio da proteína. Em conjunto, estes resultados representam um passo essencial para o desenho racional de inibidores específicos que podem fornecer uma alternativa promissora para um novo, eficaz, e mais curto de tratamento para TB. / Although the estimated per capita tuberculosis (TB) incidence was stable in 2005, the number of new cases arising each year is still increasing globally. According with World Health Organization, there were estimated 9.4 million new TB cases in 2008, from which 1.4 million were HIV-positive, with 1.8 million deaths total – equal to 4500 deaths a day. Migration, socio-economic deprivation, HIV co-infection and the emergence of extensively-resistance strains, have all contributed to the increasing number of TB cases worldwide, mainly in countries where it was once considered eradicated, and have created an urgent need for the development of new therapeutics against TB. Specific molecular targets, that are essential to the pathogen, and absent in the host, like the enzymes of the shikimate pathway, are attractive targets to development of new antitubercular drugs. This pathway leads to the biosynthesis of aromatic compounds, including aromatic amino acids and it is found in plant, fungi, bacteria and Apicomplexa parasites, but is absent in humans. In 2000, this pathway was proved to be essential to the viability of the pathogen, which validates all its enzymes as potential targets. The second enzyme of this pathway, dehydroquinate synthase (DHQS), catalyzes the conversion of 3-deoxy-D-arabinoheptulosonate 7-phosphate in 3-dehydroquinate, the first cyclic compound. In this work, we described the metal requirement and kinetic mechanism determination of the dehydroquinate synthase. The determination of the true kinetic parameters was performed, and, in addition to ligand binding experiments, the rapid-equilibrium random mechanism was determined. The treatment with EDTA abolished completely the activity of DHQS, and the addition of Co+2 and Zn+2 leads to full and partial recovery of enzyme activity, respectively. Excess of Zn+2 inhibits the DHQS activity, and the ITC data revealed two sequential binding sites, which is consistent with the existence of a secondary inhibitory site. The crystallization protocol was established and ongoing experiments will provide the three-dimensional structure of mtDHQS, which will benefit both the design of novel inhibitors as well as detailed analysis of domain rearrangements of protein. Taken together, these results represent an essential step for the rational design of specific inhibitors that can provide a promising alternative to a new, effective, and shorter treatment for TB.

Apesar da incidência per capita da tuberculose (TB) ter se mantido estável em 2005, o número de novos casos que surgem a cada ano continua a aumentar no mundo todo. De acordo com a Organização Mundial de Saúde, foram estimados 9,4 milhões de novos casos de TB em 2008, dos quais 1,4 milhões eram HIV - positivos, e com 1,8 milhões de mortes - o equivalente a 4.500 mortes por dia. Fatores como migração, privação sócio-econômica, co-infecção TB-HIV e o aparecimento de cepas resistentes contribuíram para o aumento do número de casos de TB no mundo, principalmente nos países onde a TB já foi considerada erradicada, e criaram a necessidade do desenvolvimento de novas terapêuticas. Alvos moleculares específicos, que são essenciais para o patógeno, e ausentes no hospedeiro, como as enzimas da via do ácido chiquímico são alvos atraentes para o desenvolvimento de novas drogas antituberculose. Essa via leva à síntese de compostos aromáticos, como aminoácidos aromáticos, e é encontrada em plantas, fungos, bactérias e parasitas do phylum Apicomplexa, mas está ausente em humanos. No ano de 2000, foi comprovada a essencialidade dessa via para a viabilidade do bacilo, tornando todas essas enzimas alvos validados para estudo. A segunda enzima da via, deidroquinato sintase (DHQS), catalisa a conversão de 3-deoxi-D-arabino heptulosonato-7-fosfato em 3-deidroquinato, o primeiro composto cíclico. Neste trabalho, são descritos o requerimento de metais divalentes na reação e a determinação do mecanismo cinético da DHQS. Os parâmetros cinéticos verdadeiros foram determinados e, juntamente com os experimentos de ligação, o mecanismo rápido-equilíbrio aleatório foi proposto. O tratamento com EDTA aboliu completamente a atividade de DHQS, sendo que a adição de Co+2 e Zn+2 levam a recuperação total e parcial da atividade enzimática, respectivamente. O excesso de Zn+2 inibe a atividade DHQS, e os dados de ITC indicaram a presença de dois sítios seqüenciais de ligação, o que é consistente com a existência de um sítio secundário inibitório. O protocolo de cristalização foi estabelecido e experimentos em andamento proporcionarão a elucidação da estrutura tridimensional da DHQS, que irá beneficiar tanto o desenho de novos inibidores como uma análise detalhada dos rearranjos do domínio da proteína. Em conjunto, estes resultados representam um passo essencial para o desenho racional de inibidores específicos que podem fornecer uma alternativa promissora para um novo, eficaz, e mais curto de tratamento para TB. / Although the estimated per capita tuberculosis (TB) incidence was stable in 2005, the number of new cases arising each year is still increasing globally. According with World Health Organization, there were estimated 9.4 million new TB cases in 2008, from which 1.4 million were HIV-positive, with 1.8 million deaths total – equal to 4500 deaths a day. Migration, socio-economic deprivation, HIV co-infection and the emergence of extensively-resistance strains, have all contributed to the increasing number of TB cases worldwide, mainly in countries where it was once considered eradicated, and have created an urgent need for the development of new therapeutics against TB. Specific molecular targets, that are essential to the pathogen, and absent in the host, like the enzymes of the shikimate pathway, are attractive targets to development of new antitubercular drugs. This pathway leads to the biosynthesis of aromatic compounds, including aromatic amino acids and it is found in plant, fungi, bacteria and Apicomplexa parasites, but is absent in humans. In 2000, this pathway was proved to be essential to the viability of the pathogen, which validates all its enzymes as potential targets. The second enzyme of this pathway, dehydroquinate synthase (DHQS), catalyzes the conversion of 3-deoxy-D-arabinoheptulosonate 7-phosphate in 3-dehydroquinate, the first cyclic compound. In this work, we described the metal requirement and kinetic mechanism determination of the dehydroquinate synthase. The determination of the true kinetic parameters was performed, and, in addition to ligand binding experiments, the rapid-equilibrium random mechanism was determined. The treatment with EDTA abolished completely the activity of DHQS, and the addition of Co+2 and Zn+2 leads to full and partial recovery of enzyme activity, respectively. Excess of Zn+2 inhibits the DHQS activity, and the ITC data revealed two sequential binding sites, which is consistent with the existence of a secondary inhibitory site. The crystallization protocol was established and ongoing experiments will provide the three-dimensional structure of mtDHQS, which will benefit both the design of novel inhibitors as well as detailed analysis of domain rearrangements of protein. Taken together, these results represent an essential step for the rational design of specific inhibitors that can provide a promising alternative to a new, effective, and shorter treatment for TB.

Ce travail de thèse est consacré à la conception de métalloenzymes artificielles. Un tel concept permet de combiner les avantages des catalyseurs enzymatiques et organométalliques, tels que la sélectivité catalytique élevée et l'efficacité des systèmes enzymatiques et la large portée de substrats des catalyseurs des métaux de transition. Notre approche repose sur l’utilisation de complexes de métaux de transition avec un ligand prochiral hémilabile, qui une fois insérés dans la protéine hôte sera forcé d’adopter une configuration spécifique. La chiralité sera ainsi amenée au plus près du centre métallique et permettra d’augmenter l’énantioselectivité des réactions catalysées. Dans cette thèse, nous rapportons la synthèse de nouveaux complexes de palladium à ligands pinces NCN hémilabiles prochiraux et l’étude de leurs propriétés structurales. De plus, l’ancrage supramoléculaire de ces complexes dans la β-lactoglobuline (β-LG) bovine a été étudié expérimentalement et théoriquement par modélisation moléculaire. Ces constructions ont montré une activité catalytique dans la condensation d’aldol dans l’eau, et permettent d’obtenir, dans certains cas, le produit Cis. Cette diastéréosélectivité inhabituelle résulte de la seconde sphère de coordination apportée par l'hôte protéique. Dans une deuxième partie, on rapporte la synthèse de nouveaux complexes semi-sandwich de ruthénium avec des ligands β-aminothioéther hémilabiles, ainsi que l'étude de leur insertion dans la protéine. Les hybrides catalysent l'hydrogénation par transfert d'arylcétones avec une énantiosélectivité élevée. L'amélioration de la sélectivité a été attribuée au transfert de chiralité de la protéine vers le complexe et à son tour vers le produit de réaction. / This PhD work focused on the development of artificial metalloenzymes. Such a concept allows to combine typical advantages of both enzymatic and organometallic catalysts, such as high catalytic selectivity and efficiency of enzymatic systems and wide substrate scope of transition metals catalysts. Our approach consists in the utilization of transition metal complexes with a prochiral hemilabile ligand, once embedded within the protein host, could be forced to adopt a specific stereoconfiguration. This would in turn make possible to bring the chirality centers closer to the catalytic metal center and, therefore, to increase the enantioselectivity of catalyzed reactions.In this thesis, we report the synthesis of new palladium complexes of prochiral hemilabile NCN pincer ligands and the study of their structural properties. Furthermore, the supramolecular anchoring of these complexes to bovine β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) was studied both experimentally and theorically by computational calculation. These constructs were shown to catalyze aldol condensation reactions in aqueous media, affording, in some cases, the less-favorable cis product. This unusual diastereoselectivity was ensued by the second sphere of coordination brought by the protein host. In a second part, the synthesis of new half sandwich ruthenium complexes of prochiral hemilabile β-aminothioether ligands is reported as well as the study of their insertion in the protein. The hybrids catalyzed the transfer hydrogenation of arylketones with high enantioselectivity. The enhancement of selectivity was attributed to chirality.

Le Nicotinamide Adénine Dinucléotide (NAD) est un cofacteur clé du métabolisme cellulaire. Synthétisé à partir d'acide quinolinique (QA) chez tous les organismes vivants, la biosynthèse du QA diffère entre les eucaryotes et les procaryotes. Chez les eucaryotes, il est produit à partir de L-tryptophane alors que chez les procaryotes et les plantes, il est synthétisé par l'action concertée de deux enzymes: la L-aspartate oxydase (NadB) qui permet la formation d'iminoaspartate (IA) à partir de L-aspartate et la quinolinate synthase (NadA) qui permet la condensation de deux molécules, la dihydroxyacétone-phosphate (DHAP) et l'iminoaspartate, pour former l'acide quinolinique. En plus de cette voie dite « de novo », la plupart des organismes possèdent une voie de secours qui produit le NAD à partir de niacine provenant de l'alimentation ou de la dégradation du NAD. Chez certains pathogènes tels que Mycobacterium leprae et Helicobacter pylori, cette voie de secours n'existe pas. Ceci fait de NadA une cible particulièrement attractive pour la conception d'antibactériens et ceci d'autant plus qu'elle est absente chez l'homme.NadA est la seule enzyme de la voie de biosynthèse de novo du NAD dont le mécanisme moléculaire et la structure tridimensionnelle sous forme active (avec son centre [4Fe-4S]2+) sont inconnus. Grâce à l'utilisation d'analogues de substrats ou d'intermédiaires réactionnels, nous avons pu non seulement avancer dans l'élucidation du mécanisme moléculaire de NadA et notamment dans la compréhension du rôle du centre [4Fe-4S]2+ dans la catalyse mais en plus, nous avons été en mesure de proposer un 1er inhibiteur in vitro et in vivo de NadA : l'acide 4,5 Dithiohydroxyphtalique (DTHPA). Le DTHPA nous a fourni de bonnes bases pour la conception d'inhibiteurs puissants et spécifiques de NadA grâce à une étude Structure-Activité. Par ailleurs, nous avons résolu la 1ère structure aux rayons X de NadA sous forme holoprotéine dont les données structurales nous ont grandement aidé dans la compréhension du mécanisme de NadA. / The Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) is a key cofactor essential for cellular metabolism. Synthesized from quinolinic acid (QA) in all living organisms, NAD biosynthesis is different between eucaryotes and procaryotes. Indeed, most of eukaryotes produce QA from L-tryptophan, whereas most of prokaryotes and plants synthesize QA by the concerted action of 2 enzymes: L-aspartate oxydase (NadB), an FAD enzyme, which catalyzes L-Aspartate oxidation to form iminoaspartate (IA) while quinolinate synthetase (NadA) allows condensation between IA and Dihydroxyacetone Phosphate (DHAP) to produce QA. Besides this « de novo » pathway, most eukaryotes and some bacteriae have a salvage pathway which allows NAD synthesis from nutrients and metabolites of NAD degradation in order to maintain a correct pool of NAD in the cell. However, some pathogens like Mycobacterium leprae, Helicobacter pylori do not possess this pathway. As a consequence, NadA represents a very attractive target for designing specific antibacterial agents since it does not exist in Human.NadA is the only metalloenzyme of NAD de novo biosynthesis whose molecular mechanism and tridimensional structure with its [4Fe-4S]2+ cluster are unknown. Using substrate and intermediate analogues, we have been able to understand better NadA mechanism, especially [4Fe-4S]2+ cluster role in catalysis. Moreover, we proposed the first in vitro and in vivo inhibitor of NadA : the 4,5 Dithiohydroxyphtalic Acid (DTHPA) which gave us basis to design powerful and specific NadA inhibitors thanks to a structure-activity relationship study. Besides, we resolved the first X-rays structure of NadA under its holoprotein form. Datas we extracted from it helped us greatly to understand NadA mechanism.

M42 aminopeptidases are dinuclear enzymes widely found in prokaryotes but completely absent from eukaryotes. They have been proposed to hydrolyze peptides downstream the proteasome or other related proteolytic complexes. Their description relies mainly on the pioneering work on four M42 aminopeptidases from Pyrococcus horikoshii. Their quaternary structure consists of twelve subunits adopting a tetrahedral-shaped structure. Such a spatial organization allows the compartmentalization of the active sites which are only accessible to unfolded peptides. The dodecamer assembly results from the self-association of dimers under the control of the metal ion cofactors. Both oligomers have been shown to co-exist in vivo and heterododecamers with broadened substrate specificity may even occur. Yet, the molecular determinants behind the dodecamer assembly remain unknown due the lack of a high-resolution structure of a stable dimer. In addition, the bacterial M42 aminopeptidases are still ill-described due to the paucity of structural studies. This work focuses mainly on the characterization of TmPep1050, an M42 aminopeptidase from Thermotoga maritima. As expected, TmPep1050 adopts the genuine tetrahedral-shaped structure with twelve subunits. It also displays a leucyl-aminopeptidase activity requiring Co2+ as a cofactor. In addition to its catalytic function, Co2+ has a role in the enzyme thermostability and oligomerization. The absence of Co2+ provokes the disassembly of active TmPep1050 dodecamers into inactive dimers. The process, however, is reversible since Co2+ triggers the self-association of dimers into dodecamers, as shown by native MS. The main achievement of this work is the determination of the first high-resolution structure of a dimer, allowing to better understand the dimer-dodecamer transition. Several structural motifs involved in oligomerization are displaced or highly flexible in the TmPep1050 dimer structure. Furthermore, a loop bringing two catalytic relevant residues is displaced outside the catalytic site. These residues are the catalytic base and a ligand involved in the Co2+ binding at the M1 site. The metal ion binding sites have been further investigated to define how they influence the oligomerization of TmPep1050. A mutational study shows that the M1 site strictly controls the dodecamer formation while the M2 site contributes only partly to it. A strictly conserved aspartate residue of the M2 site second shell also plays an important structural role in maintaining the active site integrity. Indeed, its substitution prevents the formation of dodecamer probably due to the lack of stabilization of the active site loop. The characterization of TmPep1050 supports that bacterial M42 aminopeptidases probably share the quaternary structures and dodecamer assembly with their archaeal counterparts. The dimer structure highlights several structural modifications occurring in the dimer-dodecamer transition. Yet, based on current knowledge, no general rules can be drawn for the role of the M1 and M2 sites in oligomerization. Besides, the physiological function of the M42 aminopeptidases is under-examined albeit the proposed link to the proteasome. In this work, this has been investigated using the Escherichia coli M42 aminopeptidases as a model. Yet, no phenotype has been associated to the deletion of their coding genes. Preliminary results have shown that the three enzymes (i) display a redundant substrate specificity, (ii) could be localized partly to the membrane, and (iii) form heterocomplexes. Further experiments are still required to crack the function of these M42 aminopeptidases. / Option Biologie moléculaire du Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Der Komplex aus Kohlenmonoxid-Dehydrogenase und Acetyl-CoA-Synthase (CODH/ACS Komplex) des thermophilen Bakteriums Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans katalysiert die Fixierung von CO2 in Acetyl-CoA und ist damit ein potenzieller Katalysator für die Erzeugung erneuerbarer Kraftstoffe aus CO2. Die Katalyse erfolgt an zwei verschiedenen Stellen: CO2 wird am Cluster C in der CODH-Untereinheit zu CO reduziert, das dann durch einen Tunnel innerhalb des Proteins zum Cluster A in der ACS-Untereinheit wandert, wo es mit einer Methylgruppe und CoA zu Acetyl-CoA reagiert. Die Art und Weise, wie die beiden katalytischen Aktivitäten zusammenwirken, sind noch unklar. Um hier mehr Licht ins Dunkel zu bringen, verfolgte diese Arbeit drei Ziele: die Bestimmung der Struktur des CODH/ACS-Komplexes von C. hydrogenoformans, die Untersuchung der CO2-Reduktionsaktivität von CODHasen und die Analyse der Rolle des internen Tunnels im CODH/ACS-Komplex. Die Struktur des CODH/ACS-Komplexes von C. hydrogenoformans wurde durch Röntgenkristallographie mit einer Auflösung von 2,04 Å bestimmt. Die CO2-Reduktion am Cluster C wurde kinetisch untersucht. Es zeigte sich, dass die CO2-Reduktion durch einen Ping-Pong-Mechanismus mit zwei Reaktionsstellen erfolgen könnte, der in früheren Studien vorgeschlagen wurde, aber auch durch andere Mechanismen. Um eine Struktur-Funktionsbeziehung für CODHs zu ermitteln, wurde die CO2-Reduktionsaktivität für drei CODHasen von C. hydrogenoformans untersucht, deren Strukturen bekannt sind: CODH-II, CODH-IV, und der CODH/ACS-Komplex. Das Tunnelsystem im CODH/ACS-Komplex ist viel enger als in den anderen CODHs und könnte somit der Grund für die vergleichsweise geringe Aktivität des CODH/ACS-Komplexes sein. Dies wurde auch durch die Manipulation und Analyse des internen Tunnels des CODH/ACS-Komplexes unterstützt. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass der Hauptzweck des Tunnels im CODH/ACS-Komplex die Kompartimentierung von CO und nicht der schnelle Substrattransport ist. / The complex of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase and acetyl-CoA synthase (CODH/ACS complex) of the thermophilic bacterium Carboxydothermus hydrogenoformans catalyses the fixation of CO2 into acetyl-CoA and is thus a potential catalyst for the production of renewable fuels from CO2. Catalysis occurs at two different sites: CO2 is reduced to CO at cluster C in the CODH subunit, which then travels through a tunnel within the protein to cluster A in the ACS subunit, where it reacts with a methyl group and CoA to form acetyl-CoA. The way in which the two catalytic activities interact is still unclear. To shed more light on this, this work pursued three goals: to determine the structure of the CODH/ACS complex of C. hydrogenoformans, to investigate the CO2 reduction activity of CODHases and to analyse the role of the internal tunnel in the CODH/ACS complex. The structure of the CODH/ACS complex of C. hydrogenoformans was determined by X-ray crystallography at 2.04 Å resolution. The CO2 reduction at cluster C was investigated kinetically. It was found that CO2 reduction could occur by a two-site ping-pong mechanism proposed in previous studies, but also by other mechanisms. To establish a structure-function relationship for CODHs, CO2 reduction activity was investigated for three CODHases of C. hydrogenoformans whose structures are known: CODH-II, CODH-IV, and the CODH/ACS complex. The tunnel system in the CODH/ACS complex is much narrower than in the other CODHs and could thus be the reason for the comparatively low activity of the CODH/ACS complex. This was also supported by the manipulation and analysis of the internal tunnel of the CODH/ACS complex. The results suggest that the main purpose of the tunnel in the CODH/ACS complex is to compartmentalise CO and not to rapidly transport substrate.

La voie non-mévalonate est fortement présente chez les plantes et les bactéries mais est absente chez les mammifères. C'est pourquoi inhiber la synthèse des isoprénoïdes et identifier un inhibiteur de cette voie enzymatique contribuera grandement à la recherche de nouveaux antibiotiques, antifongiques et herbicides. Les propriétés uniques de la 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomérase (DXR), l'enzyme centrale de cette voie enzymatique, en font une cible très intéressante pour la synthèse de nouveaux composés. La Fosmidomycine agit comme un inhibiteur de la DXR et reste aujourd'hui, avec son homologue acétylé FR90098, la référence en termes d'inhibiteur même si de nombreux efforts ont été faits pour la synthèse d'analogues depuis plusieurs années comme expliqué dans le premier chapitre avec la mise en relation de la structure des composés et leur activité. L'analyse de la diffraction des rayons X de la DXR avec la Fosmidomycine où le substrat naturel montre que la fonction phosphonate ou phosphate interagit avec une poche polaire hautement spécifique dans le site actif de l'enzyme permettant peu de modifications. Par comparaison, la fonction acide hydroxamique qui chélate le cation de l'enzyme offre la possibilité de modifications par l'introduction d'autres fonctions complexantes. Dans ce contexte, de nombreuses modifications comme l'introduction de fonctions carbamoylphosphinate, amidoxime, N-hydroxyurée et dérivées d'uraciles comme unités complexantes ont été synthétisées pour trouver des nouvelles familles d'inhibiteurs de la DXR. Toutes ces fonctions possèdent des propriétés de chélation intéressantes. En effet, elles ont déjà conduit à de puissants inhibiteurs de différentes métalloenzymes. / The non-mevalonate pathway is highly present in higher plants, protozoa and bacteria but as no equivalent in mammals. That is why shut down isoprenoid biosynthesis and identify a non-mevalonate pathway inhibitor would greatly contribute to the search for safer antibiotics, antimalarials and for our concern herbicides. The unique properties of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR), the central enzyme of this pathway, make it a remarkable and attractive target for drug design. Fosmidomycin acts as an inhibitor of DXR and still remains, along with its N-acetyl homologue FR90098, one of the most potent inhibitor ever known even if extensive work on the development of Fosmidomycin analogue derivatives have been developed since the last decade as demonstrated in the first chapter with the development of a structure activity relationship of all the potential inhibitors of this enzyme already reported in the literature. The X-ray diffraction analysis of the co-crystals of DXR and Fosmidomycin or substrate shows that the phosphonic/phosphate group interacts with a highly specific polar pocket in the enzyme site, allowing only few structural modifications. By contrast, the cation chelating subunit represented by the hydroxamic acid function offers fine tuning possibilities for the complexation abilities as well as potential secondary interactions with the NADPH cofactor or directly with the enzyme. In this context, several modifications such as the introduction of carbamoylphosphinate, amidoxime, N-hydroxyurea and uracil complexing subunits have been made in order to find new families of DXR inhibitors. All of these functions show promising chelation capabilities as they already led to potent inhibitors of different metalloenzymes.

Les molybdoenzymes (MoEs) à bisPGD sont des métalloprotéines dont le site actif est constitué d'un cofacteur à molybdène (Mo) mononucléaire. Elles sont impliquées dans les cycles biogéochimiques de l'azote, du carbone et du soufre et catalysent essentiellement des réactions d'oxydoréduction à 2 e-/2 H+ envers une grande variété de substrats. En dépit de la connaissance de la structure cristallographique de nombreuses MoEs, leur fonctionnement reste encore largement incompris. Ces enzymes présentent un intérêt biotechnologique car certains de leurs substrats sont des composés toxiques notoires, tels que les oxydes de sélénium ou d'arsenic. L'objectif de ma thèse a été d'identifier quels facteurs structuraux gouvernent la réactivité d'une MoE à bisPGD, la nitrate réductase A d'E. coli. Le premier axe de mes travaux de thèse a consisté à étudier l'activité de l'enzyme envers différents substrats et examiner le rôle du ligand protéique du Mo dans sa réactivité, en combinant des approches de mutagenèse dirigée, de biochimie et de spectroscopie RPE. J'ai montré que le ligand protéique du Mo est impliqué dans une étape clé du cycle catalytique. Le second axe a consisté à identifier les relations existantes entre la structure atomique du site actif et ses signatures spectrales. Pour augmenter la résolution et permettre d'identifier les transitions structurales mises en jeu lors de l'interconversion entre les différentes formes spectrales, j'ai utilisé la spectroscopie RPE impulsionnelle, qui permet de détecter les noyaux magnétiques (1H et 14N, …). Mes résultats constituent un pré-requis nécessaire pour l'étude structurale à haute résolution du site actif de la nitrate réductase. / Molybdenum (Mo) is a rare transition metal that is indispensable to most living organisms. In particular, it makes part of the active site of metalloenzymes involved in the biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur. In this context, prokaryotic molybdoenzymes (MoEs) with the bisPGD cofactor at their active site essentially catalyze oxidoreduction reactions with 2 e-/2 H+ towards a wide range of substrates. Given that some MoEs can activate substrates that are well-known pollutants, understanding the mechanism of these enzymes accounts for a major prerequisite for future enzymatic engineering strategies aimed at optimizing enzyme reactivity towards bioremediation processes. To identify the molecular determinants of the reactivity of MoEs, we have explored the importance of the Mo proteic ligand aspartate in the respiratory Nitrate Reductase from E. coli. We have combined biochemistry and EPR spectroscopy to analyze the impact of the Mo-ligand substitution on both the enzymatic and the structural properties of the molybdenum cofactor. Our results show that the nature of the proteic ligand plays a critical role in the reactivity of the active site. A second part of my thesis work consisted in establishing the link between spectroscopic data on the MoV centre and its atomic structure. To get a high level of resolution and to identify which kind of structural modification is responsible for the spectroscopic differences between every Mo(V) signature, pulsed EPR spectroscop is most promising. Our results constitute a pre-requisite for structural studies of every species of the MoV center of the NRA.

Etude de la relation structure-activité de complexes bio-inspirés de la réductase de l'oxyde nitreux N2O est un puissant gaz à effet de serre et est impliqué dans la destruction de la couche d'ozone, ce qui rend sa dégradation très intéressante. Il s'agit d'un intermédiaire du cycle catalytique de la nitrification bactérienne. En effet, en biologie une métalloenzyme est capable de réduire N2O à deux électrons en N2 et H2O. Le site actif de la réductase de l'oxyde nitreux, le centre CuZ, renferme l'unique association de quatre ions cuivre pontés par un ion sulfure. Afin d'obtenir des complexes capables d'activer N2O et d'approfondir la compréhension du mécanisme catalytique de l'enzyme nous avons élaboré des modèles inspirés du centre CuZ. Il s'agit de complexes dinucléaires de cuivres possédant le motif {Cu2(µ-S)} supposé indispensable à l'activation de N2O. Les complexes à valence mixtes décrits dans ces travaux ont été complétements caractérisés et leur activité vis-à-vis de la réduction de N2O a été évaluée. Ces complexes constituent le premier modèle de ce type capable de réduire N2O. Des études spectroscopiques, électrochimiques et théoriques nous ont également permises de proposer un mécanisme réactionnel, passant par la formation d'un adduit complexe-N2O. Nous avons également pu mettre en évidence le rôle crucial de la molécule d'eau, ligand exogène des complexes, dans ce mécanisme. En parallèle, la stabilité en solution de différentes liaisons disulfures présentes au sein de ligands tétranucléants, en présence de CuII, a été évaluée. La réactivité de la liaison disulfure est dépendante de la fixation des ions cuivre à proximité des atomes de soufres. Trois ligands possédants des substituants aminés différents ont été testés, chacun présentant une réactivité particulière. Nous avons montré pour l'un de ces ligands que l'oxydation de la liaison disulfure pouvait être réalisée en absence d'oxydant fort, l'eau jouant le rôle de nucléophile. / Structure-activity relationships in copper complexes bio-inspired from nitrous oxide reductase N2O is a powerful greenhouse gas and is involved in the ozone layer destruction, which makes it degradation very interesting. N2O is an intermediate of the catalytic cycle of bacterial nitrification. Indeed, in biology a metalloenzyme can reduce N2O with two electrons to N2 and H2O. The active site of nitrous oxide reductase, the CuZ center, contains a unique combination of four copper ions bridged by a sulfide ion. In order to obtain complexes able to activate N2O and deepen the understanding of the catalytic mechanism of the enzyme we have developed models based on the CuZ center. Binuclear copper containing the {Cu2(μ-S)} pattern that is supposed essential to N2O activation have been synthetized. Mixed valent complexes described in this work were fully characterized and their activity toward N2O was evaluated. These complexes are the first model like this capable of N2O reduction. Spectroscopic, electrochemical and theoretical studies have also allowed us to propose a reaction mechanism, which passes through the formation of an adduct complex-N2O. We were also able to highlight the crucial role of the exogenous water molecule in this mechanism. In parallel, the solution stability of different disulfide bonds present in tetranucleating ligands in the presence of CuII was evaluated. The reactivity of the disulfide bond is dependent upon the binding of copper ions near sulfur atoms. Three ligands with different amino groups were tested, each having a specific reactivity. We have shown for one of them that the oxidation of the disulfide bond could be carried out in the absence of strong oxidizer, water acting as the nucleophil

Dans une thématique de plus en plus importante qui est celle du développement durable, il est aujourd’hui nécessaire d’adapter les réactions chimiques aux contraintes écologiques. Le développement de catalyseurs existe depuis le début de la chimie. Cependant, la compréhension des mécanismes mis en jeu lors des réactions chimiques est beaucoup plus récente, et ce, grâce à l’apparition de techniques d’analyse qui permettent de sonder les systèmes à différentes étapes des réactions. De nombreux catalyseurs moléculaires ont été développés, avec de très bons résultats au niveau des nombres de cycles catalytiques et de la sélectivité des réactions. Toutefois, ces catalyseurs sont souvent constitués d’un centre métallique de type iridium, ruthénium, palladium, rhodium ou platine, qui sont des métaux chers non biocompatibles. D’autre part, les oxydations sont des transformations chimiques très importantes. Des conditions de réactions dures, avec des oxydants stœchiométriques, souvent toxiques ou nocifs, sont généralement utilisées. Au contraire, des systèmes biologiques sont capables d’effectuer l’oxydation de molécules organiques en utilisant le dioxygène de l’air, en présence uniquement de protons, d’électrons, dans des conditions physiologiques. Quel grand défi pour les chimistes que d’arriver à développer des systèmes capables de mimer les systèmes biologiques, avec des catalyseurs composés de métaux biocompatibles tels que le cuivre, le manganèse et le fer. Le développement de ces catalyseurs biomimétiques demande une très bonne compréhension des systèmes biologiques, où les première et seconde sphères de coordination sont primordiales pour l'efficacité et la sélectivité des réactions. De nombreux complexes de fer(II) ont été développés comme catalyseurs dans notre équipe lors de thèses précédentes. L’interaction d’oxydants chimiques avec ces complexes a été étudiée, et une partie de mon projet a été de modifier les ligands pour augmenter la stabilité des catalyseurs, permettant l’augmentation de la sélectivité et les rendements de l’oxydation du cyclohexane et de l’anisole. Deux autres projets ont nécessité la fonctionnalisation d’un ligand utilisé communément au laboratoire pour son greffage covalent sur une électrode d’or ou dans une protéine. Afin de contrôler l’apport d’électrons au centre métallique pour réaliser l'activation réductrice du dioxygène, le complexe fonctionnalisé a été greffé sur des électrodes d’or. Le greffage sur électrode d’or a permis de mettre en avant la formation d’une monocouche homogène. Les premiers tests de réactivité de la SAM avec le dioxygène ont été également effectués. D’autre part, dans le but d’améliorer les rendements ainsi que la sélectivité des réactions en catalyse d’oxydation, un autre complexe fonctionnalisé a été greffé covalemment dans une protéine. Le greffage du complexe dans la β-lactoglobuline a permis de développer une nouvelle méthode de dosage du complexe de fer au sein de la protéine. Il a été possible de générer un intermédiaire réactionnel Feᴵᴵᴵ-peroxo, et les premiers tests en catalyse d’oxydation du thioanisole ont montré que la métalloenzyme artificielle permet d’observer une énantiosélectivité intéressante par rapport au complexe en solution. / According to sustainable development it is necessary to adapt chemical reactions to ecologic constraints. Oxidation reactions are useful transformations. Nevertheless, reaction conditions used are frequently harsh, with oxidants used in stoichiometric amount (often harmful or toxic), and lead to products formation with low selectivity. Biological systems such as metalloenzymes, are able to perform small organic molecule oxidation following O₂ activation. These reactions are achieved in physiological conditions, and with a high selectivity. Deciphering the reaction mechanism of these biological catalysts has stimulated the development of synthetic analogues such as non heme iron(II) complexes bearing amine/pyridine ligands. Reaction of these Fe(II) precursors with H₂O₂ or a single oxygen atom leads to formation of Fe(III)-OOH, Fe(III)-(O₂) and Fe(IV)=O, identified as potent oxidizing species in biological systems such as cytochromes P450. In this work, ligands were functionalized to graft iron(II) complexes on gold surface or in the β-lactoglobuline protein in order to use O₂ as oxidant or to improve yields and selectivity, respectively. Complexes grafted on gold surface were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, AFM and XPS. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to exchange exogenous ligands of the iron complex grafted on gold electrode. Preliminar reactivity tests using this grafted complex and O₂ were performed. A new artificial metalloenzyme was synthesized by covalent grafting of a functionalized iron(II) complex on β-lactoglobuline. The system was characterized, and a new method of iron(II) titration in the protein was devised. Using hydrogen peroxide, an Fe(III)-(η²-O₂) intermediate was generated and indentified in the biohybrid system, and catalytic thioanisole oxidation was observed. Interestingly, the sulfoxide product formation was shown to be enantioselective under these conditions.