Characterization of the oxidative protein folding activity of a unique plant oxidoreductase, Arabidopsis protein disulfide isomerase-11

Protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs) can catalyze disulfide bond formation in nascent secretory proteins and membrane proteins and can introduce correct disulfide bonds into substrate proteins containing mispaired disulfides. The functions of mammalian PDIs have been extensively studied; however, relative to mammalian PDIs, the systematic characterization of PDIs for their oxidoreductase activity in plants is still lacking. Arabidopsis protein disulfide isomerases-11 (AtPDI11), with the structure of a-a'-D, has no ortholog in animals or yeast. In this study, we demonstrated that AtPDI11 has oxidoreductase activity in vitro using a GSSG/GSH-mediated oxidative protein folding system. Moreover, the active site in the a' domain of AtPDI11 is critical for its oxidative folding activity. AtPDI11 is present in four redox forms in vivo, which are determined by the active site cysteines (Cys52 and Cys55 in the a domain, and Cys171 and Cys174 in the a' domain). Genetic evidence suggests that AtPDI11 is required for plant growth under reducing conditions. Our work provides an example for studying the oxidoreductase function of other plant PDIs. •AtPDI11 is a unique protein disulfide isomerase that has no ortholog in animals or yeast.•AtPDI11 has oxidoreductase activity in vitro that is much lower than hPDI.•The active site in the a' domain of AtPDI11 is critical for its oxidative folding activity.•AtPDI11 is present in four redox forms in vivo, which are determined by the active site cysteines.•AtPDI11 is required for plant growth under reducing conditions.