The O(2)-tolerant [NiFe] hydrogenases of Ralstonia eutropha are capable of H(2) conversion in the presence of ambient O(2). Oxygen represents not only a challenge for catalysis but also for the complex assembling process of the [NiFe] active site. Apart from nickel and iron, the catalytic center contains unusual diatomic ligands, namely two cyanides (CN(-)) and one carbon monoxide (CO), which a...

The characterization of a hyd gene cluster encoding the stable, bidirectional [NiFe]hydrogenase 1 enzyme in Thiocapsa roseopersicina BBS, a purple sulfur photosynthetic bacterium belonging to the family Chromatiaceae, is presented. The heterodimeric hydrogenase 1 had been purified to homogeneity and thoroughly characterized (K. L. Kovacs et al., J. Biol. Chem. 266:947-951, 1991; C. Bagyinka et ...

An in vivo biotransformation system is presented that affords the hydroxylation of n-octane to 1-octanol on the basis of NADH-dependent CYP153A monooxygenase and NAD(+)-reducing hydrogenase heterologously synthesized in a bacterial host. The hydrogenase sustains H2-driven NADH cofactor regeneration even in the presence of O2, the co-substrate of monooxygenase.

The preparation and spectroscopic characterization of a CO-inhibited [FeFe] hydrogenase with a selectively (57)Fe-labeled binuclear subsite is described. The precursor [(57)Fe2(adt)(CN)2(CO)4](2-) was synthesized from the (57)Fe metal, S8, CO, (NEt4)CN, NH4Cl, and CH2O. (Et4N)2[(57)Fe2(adt)(CN)2(CO)4] was then used for the maturation of the [FeFe] hydrogenase HydA1 from Chlamydomonas reinhardti...

The present study was carried out in order to examine and characterize the bidirectional hydrogenase in the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. strain PCC 73102. Southern hybridizations with the probes Av1 and Av3 (hoxY and hoxH, bidirectional hydrogenase small and large subunits, respectively) revealed the occurrence of corresponding sequences in Anabaena variabilis (control), Anabaena sp. strain PCC 71...

Because of the relative simplicity of ita substrate, hydrogen, the enzyme hydrogenase is of particular interest in the study of the mechanism of enzyme catalysis. In its reaction with molecular hydrogen, hydrogenase simulates, in certain respects, the action of active platinum catalysts. It catalyzes the reduction by hydrogen of a variety of dyes and of various organic and inorganic compounds, ...

Biological nitrogen fixation by the Rhizobium -legume symbiosis allows conversion of atmospheric into ammonia within root nodules mediated nitrogenase enzyme. Nitrogenase activity results in evolution hydrogen as a result side reaction intrinsic to this Some rhizobia, and also other fixers, induce NiFe uptake hydrogenase (Hup) recycle produced nitrogenase, thus improving efficiency process. In ...

A limited number of strains belonging to several genera of Rhizobiaceae are capable of expressing a hydrogenase system that allows partial or full recycling of hydrogen evolved by nitrogenase, thus increasing the energy efficiency of the nitrogen fixation process. This review is focused on the genetics and biotechnology of the hydrogenase system from Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae, a freque...

The hydrogenases [FeFe] and Hmd feature at first sight rather different active sites. A closer inspection reveals striking similarities, which allow us to define swapped ligand spheres in such a way that the single active iron center of Hmd functions in a first-shell ligand environment resembling the reacting iron atom in [FeFe] hydrogenase and vice versa. These redesigned ligand environments c...