Gamma-glutamyl carboxylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the posttranslational modificationofvitamin K-dependent proteins. Many of these vitamin K-dependent proteins are involved in coagulation so the function of the encoded enzyme is essential for hemostasis.[5] Most gla domain-containing proteins depend on this carboxylation reaction for posttranslational modification.[6] In humans, the gamma-glutamyl carboxylase enzyme is most highly expressed in the liver.
Gamma-glutamyl carboxylase oxidizes Vitamin K hydroquinone to Vitamin K 2,3 epoxide, while simultaneously adding CO2 to protein-bound glutamic acid (abbreviation = Glu) to form gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (also called gamma-carboxyglutamate, abbreviation = Gla). Presence of two carboxylate groups causes chelation of Ca2+ , resulting in change in tertiary structure of protein and its activation. The carboxylation reaction will only proceed if the carboxylase enzyme is able to oxidize vitamin K hydroquinone to vitamin K epoxide at the same time; the carboxylation and epoxidation reactions are said to be coupled reactions.[7][8]
a [protein]-α-L-glutamate (Glu) + phylloquinol (KH 2) + CO 2 + oxygen →
a [protein] 4-carboxy-L-glutamate (Gla) + vitamin K 2,3-epoxide (KO) + H+ + H 2O
No experimental structure is known for GGCX, limiting understanding of its reaction mechanism. Based on the fact that the two reactions are coupled, a computational study is able to propose how the reactants interact with each other to form the products.[9] Lys228 has been shown to be the residue responsible for starting the reaction.[10] How the enzyme holds the reactants in place to have them interact with each other remains poorly shown. 491-507 and 395-401 are probably responsible for propeptide and glutamate binding respectively.[11]
Mutations in this gene are associated with vitamin K-dependent coagulation defect and PXE-like disorder with multiple coagulation factor deficiency.[5][12]
^Brenner B, Tavori S, Zivelin A, Keller CB, Suttie JW, Tatarsky I, Seligsohn U (August 1990). "Hereditary deficiency of all vitamin K-dependent procoagulants and anticoagulants". Br. J. Haematol. 75 (4): 537–42. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2141.1990.tb07795.x. PMID2145029. S2CID24679257.
^Silva PJ, Ramos MJ (2007). "Reaction mechanism of the vitamin K-dependent glutamate carboxylase: a computational study". J Phys Chem B. 111 (44): 12883–7. doi:10.1021/jp0738208. PMID17935315.
^Rishavy MA, Hallgren KW, Yakubenko AV, Shtofman RL, Runge KW, Berkner KL (7 November 2006). "Brønsted analysis reveals Lys218 as the carboxylase active site base that deprotonates vitamin K hydroquinone to initiate vitamin K-dependent protein carboxylation". Biochemistry. 45 (44): 13239–48. doi:10.1021/bi0609523. PMID17073445.
