The glycine decarboxylase complex consists of four different component
enzymes (P-, H-, T-and L-proteins). The 14-kDa lipoamide-containing H
-protein plays a pivotal role in the complete sequence of reactions si
nce its prosthetic group (lipoic acid) interacts successively with the
three other components of the complex and undergoes a cycle of reduct
ive methylamination, methylamine transfer and electron transfer. The X
-ray crystal structure of different forms of the H-protein has shown a
unique conformation of the protein. This leads to the hypothesis of a
three-dimensional recognition of the H-protein by the other component
s of the system and also by the ligase which lipoylates the H-protein.
Striking structural similarities are observed between the H-protein a
nd other lipoate domains of 2-oxo acid dehydrogenases and with the bio
tin carrier protein of acetyl-CoA carboxylase. In the H-protein, the l
ipoamide arm is free to move in the solvent when oxidized but is pivot
ed and tightly bound into a cleft at the protein surface when methylam
ine-loaded. This implies that the H-protein and the T-component form a
stable complex during the catalytic transfer of the methylene unit to
the tetrahydrofolate cofactor of the T-protein, This complex has been
detected by small angle scattering experiments. In conclusion, in the
glycine decarboxylase system, the lipoamide arm does not swing freely
from one catalytic site to another as was proposed in other systems.