The enzyme is part of a system for detoxifying arsenate. The substrate binds to a catalytic cysteine residue, forming a covalent thiolate---As(V) intermediate. A tertiary intermediate is then formed between the arsenic, the enzyme's cysteine, and a glutathione cysteine. This intermediate is reduced by glutaredoxin, which forms a dithiol with the glutathione, leading to the dissociation of arsenite. Thus reduction of As(V) is mediated by three cysteine residues: one in ArsC, one in glutathione, and one in glutaredoxin. Although the arsenite formed is more toxic than arsenate, it can be extruded from some bacteria by EC 7.3.2.7, arsenite-transporting ATPase; in other organisms, arsenite can be methylated by EC 2.1.1.137, arsenite methyltransferase, in a pathway that produces non-toxic organoarsenical compounds. cf. EC 1.20.4.4, arsenate reductase (thioredoxin).
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SYSTEMATIC NAME
IUBMB Comments
arsenate:glutathione/glutaredoxin oxidoreductase
The enzyme is part of a system for detoxifying arsenate. The substrate binds to a catalytic cysteine residue, forming a covalent thiolate---As(V) intermediate. A tertiary intermediate is then formed between the arsenic, the enzyme's cysteine, and a glutathione cysteine. This intermediate is reduced by glutaredoxin, which forms a dithiol with the glutathione, leading to the dissociation of arsenite. Thus reduction of As(V) is mediated by three cysteine residues: one in ArsC, one in glutathione, and one in glutaredoxin. Although the arsenite formed is more toxic than arsenate, it can be extruded from some bacteria by EC 7.3.2.7, arsenite-transporting ATPase; in other organisms, arsenite can be methylated by EC 2.1.1.137, arsenite methyltransferase, in a pathway that produces non-toxic organoarsenical compounds. cf. EC 1.20.4.4, arsenate reductase (thioredoxin).
replacement of the active-site Cys15 by serine completely eliminates the ability of glutatredoxin A to serve as an electron donor. Replacement of either of the two cysteine residues distant from the active site, i.e., Cys 36 and Cys70, has no effect on the electron-donating ability of glutaredoxin