Search

Laccase is an oxidase of great industrial interest due to its ability to catalyze oxidation processes of phenols and persistent organic pollutants. However, it is susceptible to denaturation at high temperatures, sensitive to pH, and unstable in the presence of high concentrations of solvents, which is a issue for industrial use. To solve this problem, this work develops the synthesis in an aqueous medium of a new Mn metalloenzyme with laccase oxidase mimetic catalytic activity. Geobacillus thermocatenulatus lipase (GTL) was used as a scaffold enzyme, mixed with a manganese salt at 50 °C in an aqueous medium. This leads to the in situ formation of manganese(IV) oxide nanowires that interact with the enzyme, yielding a GTL-Mn bionanohybrid. On the other hand, its oxidative activity was evaluated using the ABTS assay, obtaining a catalytic efficiency 300 times higher than that of Trametes versicolor laccase. This new Mn metalloenzyme was 2 times more stable at 40 °C, 3 times more stable in the presence of 10% acetonitrile, and 10 times more stable in 20% acetonitrile than Novozym 51003 laccase. Furthermore, the site-selective immobilized GTL-Mn showed a much higher stability than the soluble form. The oxidase-like activity of this Mn metalloenzyme was successfully demonstrated against other substrates, such as l-DOPA or phloridzin, in oligomerization reactions.

Developing enzyme alternatives is pivotal to improving and enabling new processes in biotechnology and industry. Artificial metalloenzymes (ArMs) are combinations of protein scaffolds with metal elements, such as metal nanoclusters or metal-containing molecules with specific catalytic properties, which can be customized. Here, we engineered an ArM based on the consensus tetratricopeptide repeat (CTPR) scaffold by introducing a unique histidine residue to coordinate the hemin cofactor. Our results show that this engineered system exhibits robust peroxidase-like catalytic activity driven by the hemin. The expression of the scaffold and subsequent coordination of hemin was achieved by recombinant expression in bulk and through in vitro transcription and translation systems in water-in-oil drops. The ability to synthesize this system in emulsio paves the way to improve its properties by means of droplet microfluidic screenings, facilitating the exploration of the protein combinatorial space to discover improved or novel catalytic activities.

The use of vanadium complexes for potential applications in medicine largely depends on the structural properties of the complex itself, as well as on the electronic configuration of the metal and its oxidation state. When the vanadium complex binds to biomolecules or by binding solvent molecules to the complex, there is a change in the structure but also a change in the redox properties of the complex. Using theoretical methods, especially Density Functional theory (DFT), it is possible to determine which factors influence changes in the redox properties of the complex. Furthermore, by calculating the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) constants of hyperfine coupling, it is possible to obtain not only data on the electronic configuration, but also to predict changes in redox properties upon changes in the structure of the complex. DFT results show that the binding of pyridine or imidazole to the VO(acac)2 complex leads to a lowering of the redox potential. The largest changes in the redox potential were observed in the case when the incoming ligand binds in a cis position relative to the V==O bond.

The development of selective aromatic oxidation catalysts based on non-noble metals has emerged over the last decades, mainly due to the importance of phenol products as intermediates for the generation of pharmaceuticals or functional polymers. In nature, metalloenzymes can perform a wide variety of oxidative processes using molecular oxygen, including arene oxidations. However, the implementation of such enzymes in the chemical industry remains challenging. In this context, chemists have tried to mimic nature and design synthetic non-noble metal catalysts inspired by these enzymes. This review aims at providing a general overview of aromatic oxidation reactions catalyzed by metalloenzymes as well as synthetic first-row transition-metal complexes as homogeneous catalysts. The enzymes and complexes discussed in this review have been classified based on the transition-metal ion present in their active site, i.e., iron, copper, nickel, and manganese. The main points of discussion focus on enzyme structure and function, catalyst design, mechanisms of operation in terms of oxidant activation and substrate oxidation, and substrate scope.

In recent years, the synthesis of novel artificial metalloenzymes by the combination of metal or complex organometallic systems and enzymes is rapidly growing field of research in catalytic applications. In this study, new artificial metalloenzymes have been designed and developed based on the combination of an enzyme and different metal salts. For this purpose, novel synthesis method has been used, where the enzyme, Lipase B from Candida antarctica (CALB), acts as an inducer of metal nanoparticles of copper and silver. Obtained biohybrids show improved stability properties compared to natural enzymes. Moreover, the synergetic effect between copper and silver has been evaluated, looking for an improvement in the catalytic efficiency of an only copper-metalloenzyme previously developed. The copper-silver-CALB metalloenzymes have been characterized by X-Ray diffraction analysis, mass spectrometry, and SEM and TEM as microscopies techniques. After that, their catalytic efficiency was tested in different reactions, in particular in the phloridzin oligomerization as laccase-like activity.

The post-vedic Brahmanic literature falls into several sections and reflects some social and political development, but, as a whole, it is characterized by the same tone and temper. In the sphere of governmental theory, the Epics, the political and legal treatises, the Puranas and general literature start from the same fundamental assumptions. But from the fifth century B.C. onwards, Brahmanism had to contend with two vigorous Protestant movements - Buddhism and Jainism. They experienced many vicissitudes of fortune until one of them disappeared from India and the other sand into a small sect, but they produced a vast literature and gave rise to many social theories. It is the Asokan Edicts of the third century B.C. which in the light of the latest researchers, have claim to be examined before any literary works for Buddhist ideas on government. The 'beloved of the gods' appears as the moral teacher and spiritual guide of his subjects. The state over which he presides is a missionary state exerting its utmost resources in the propagation of Buddhism and piety and morality in general. The third Rock Edict, for instance, requires administrative officers of proceed on circuit every five years as well as for their other business, as for this special purpose, namely, to give instructions in the law of piety. Censors were appointed to watch over the Law and the operation of justice. 1 Asoka enunciates the paternal character of his government in so many words. In the Borderer's Edict of the Kalinga group, he wants his officers to make the people realize that: "The king is to us even as a father he loves us even as he loves himself; we are to the king even as his children.

Enzymes are involved in most reactions in nature. They are important both for the understanding of biological life and for reactions of industrial interest, e.g. in the production of artificial fertilizers, the production of biomass or biofuels. Enzymes with one or several metal ions are called metalloenzymes. In this thesis we study three different metalloenzymes, nitrogenase, lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO) and particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) with computer simulations. We use mainly combined quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations with the density functional theory (DFT) method.Nitrogenase is the only enzyme that can break the triple bond in nitrogen molecules, making nitrogen available for plant metabolism. Previous studies have shown that different DFT methods give widely different results for the relative energies of different structures of putative intermediates in the reaction mechanism of nitrogenase. Therefore, we have tried to calibrate DFT calculations in two different ways. First, we use experimental data of structures and reactions related to nitrogenase to see what DFT functionals give the most accurate results.Our results indicate that BLYP, B97D and MN15 give the best results.Second, we have developed a small and simple model system of the active site of nitrogenase, [Fe(SH)4H]−.This model still shows a large variation in DFT estimate of the energy difference between structures protonated on Fe or on S, 25–163 kJ/mol. We then use a series of advanced and accurate QM methods, including coupled-cluster, selected configuration-interaction and multicon gurational perturbation theory methods to calibrate the DFT methods. With this model, M06 and B3LYP give the most accurate results.The second studied enzyme is LPMO, which is a copper dependent enzyme used for the degradation of polysaccharides, such as cellulose and chitin. The mechanism of this enzyme is quite well known but it has an unusual methyl modi cation

Hormaomycins and belactosins are peptide natural products that contain unusual cyclopropane moieties. Bioinformatics analysis of the corresponding biosynthetic gene clusters showed that two conserved genes, hrmI/belK and hrmJ/belL, were potential candidates for catalyzing cyclopropanation. Using in vivo and in vitro assays, the functions of HrmI/BelK and HrmJ/BelL were established. HrmI and BelK, which are heme oxygenase-like dinuclear iron enzymes, catalyze oxidation of the epsilon-amino group of l-lysine to afford l-6-nitronorleucine. Subsequently, HrmJ and BelL, which are iron- and alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent oxygenases, effectively convert l-6-nitronorleucine into 3-(trans-2-nitrocyclopropyl)-alanine through C4-C6 bond installation. These observations disclose a novel pathway of cyclopropane ring construction and exemplify the new chemistry involving metalloenzymes in natural product biosynthesis.

Computational modeling of inhibitors for metalloenzymes in virtual drug development campaigns has proven challenging. To overcome this limitation, a technique for predicting the binding pose of metal-binding pharmacophores (MBPs) is presented. Using a combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and docking using a genetic algorithm, inhibitor binding was evaluated in silico and compared with inhibitor-enzyme cocrystal structures. The predicted binding poses were found to be consistent with the cocrystal structures. The computational strategy presented represents a useful tool for predicting metalloenzyme-MBP interactions.

There is growing interest in the design of bimetallic cooperative complexes, which have emerged due to their potential for bond activation and catalysis, a feature widely exploited by nature in metalloenzymes, and also in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. Herein, we discuss the widespread opportunities derived from combining two metals in close proximity, ranging from systems containing multiple M-M bonds to others in which bimetallic cooperation occurs even in the absence of M⋯M interactions. The choice of metal pairs is crucial for the reactivity of the resulting complexes. In this context, we describe the prospects of combining not only transition metals but also those of the main group series, which offer additional avenues for cooperative pathways and reaction discovery. Emphasis is given to mechanisms by which bond activation occurs across bimetallic structures, which is ascribed to the precise synergy between the two metal atoms. The results discussed herein indicate a future landscape full of possibilities within our reach, where we anticipate that bimetallic synergism will have an important impact in the design of more efficient catalytic processes and the discovery of new catalytic transformations. © 2022 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

open, Production and consumption processes in soil ecosystems contribute to the global bio­chemical cycles of many trace gases (CH4, CO, H2, N2O and NO) that are relevant for atmospheric chemistry and climate. Such small gas molecules play different role into the metabolism of microorganisms placed in soil that rely on specific metalloen­zymes for their transformation. Among these, molybdenum-­based metalloenzymes were evidenced to be crucial in such context. In particular, a specific molybdoen­zyme was reported to be involved in atmospheric CO oxidation. MoCu CO dehy­drogenases (MoCu CODH) is an enzyme found in aerobic carboxido­bacteria, such as Oligotropha carboxidovorans which represent one of the essential components in the biogeochemical carbon monoxide (CO) consumption. In fact, they contribute to maintenance of sub­toxic concentration of CO in the lower atmosphere by processing approximately 2×108 tons of it annually. This bacterial metalloprotein catalyses the oxidation of CO to CO2, while it can also split H2 in two protons and two electrons. Such reactions are performed thanks to a unique active site composed of two metals, a copper ion and a molybdenum one, linked together through a sulphur atom. Despite extended theoretical and experimental studies had been carried out concerning this enzyme, several aspects related to its reactivity have not been unravelled.In the present thesis, we focused on the in silico description of MoCu CODH in order to deepen the understanding of the reaction mechanisms catalysed by the enzyme. To do so, in the framework of density functional theory (DFT), we applied models of different sizes to obtain an accurate description of the system. In the context of CO oxidation catalysis, we evidenced that if a previously proposed thiocarbonate ­like intermediate is formed along the catalytic path, it does not repre­sent a rate ­limiting species on the enzymatic energy landscape, differently from results of previous theoretical studies. Mor, I processi di produzione e consumo negli ecosistemi del suolo contribuiscono ai cicli biochimici globali di molti gas in tracce (CH4, CO, H2, N2O e NO) che sono rilevanti per la chimica atmosferica e il clima. Tali piccole molecole di gas svolgono ruoli diversi nel metabolismo dei microrganismi posti nel suolo che si basano su metalloenzimi specifici per la loro trasformazione. Tra questi, è stato dimostrato che i metalloenzimi a base di molibdeno sono cruciali in tale contesto. In particolare, è stato riportato che un molibdoenzima specifico è coinvolto nell'ossidazione della CO atmosferica. MoCu CO deidrogenasi (MoCu CODH) è un enzima presente nei carbossidobatteri aerobici, come Oligotropha carbossidovorans, che rappresentano uno dei componenti essenziali nel consumo biogeochimico di monossido di carbonio (CO). Essi infatti contribuiscono al mantenimento della concentrazione subtossica di CO nella bassa atmosfera elaborandone circa 2 × 108 tonnellate all'anno. Questa metalloproteina batterica catalizza l'ossidazione della CO a CO2, mentre può anche scindere H2 in due protoni e due elettroni. Tali reazioni vengono eseguite grazie a un sito attivo unico composto da due metalli, uno ione rame e uno molibdeno, legati tra loro tramite un atomo di zolfo. Nonostante siano stati condotti ampi studi teorici e sperimentali su questo enzima, diversi aspetti relativi alla sua reattività non sono stati ancora chiariti. Nella presente tesi ci siamo concentrati sulla descrizione in silico di MoCu CODH al fine di approfondire la comprensione dei meccanismi di reazione catalizzati dall'enzima. Per fare ciò, nel quadro della teoria del funzionale della densità (DFT), abbiamo applicato modelli di diverse dimensioni per ottenere una descrizione accurata del sistema. Nel contesto della catalisi dell'ossidazione della CO, abbiamo evidenziato che se un intermedio simile al tiocarbonato si forma lungo il percorso catalitico, non rappresenta una specie limitante la velocità nel panorama, 0, open, Rovaletti, A

In the search for life beyond Earth, distinguishing the living from the non-living is paramount. However, this distinction is often elusive, as the origin of life is likely a stepwise evolutionary process, not a singular event. Regardless of the favored origin of life model, an inherent “grayness” blurs the theorized threshold defining life. Here, we explore the ambiguities between the biotic and the abiotic at the origin of life. The role of grayness extends into later transitions as well. By recognizing the limitations posed by grayness, life detection researchers will be better able to develop methods sensitive to prebiotic chemical systems and life with alternative biochemistries.

[EN] The decrease of greenhouse gases such as CO2 has become a key challenge for the human kind and the study of the electrocatalytic properties of CO2-reducing enzymes such as formate dehydrogenases is of importance for this goal. In this work, we study the covalent bonding of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough FdhAB formate dehydrogenase to chemically modified gold and low-density graphite electrodes, using electrostatic interactions for favoring oriented immobilization of the enzyme. Electrochemical measurements show both bioelectrocatalytic oxidation of formate and reduction of CO2 by direct electron transfer (DET). Atomic force microscopy and quartz crystal microbalance characterization, as well as a comparison of direct and mediated electrocatalysis, suggest that a compact layer of formate dehydrogenase was anchored to the electrode surface with some crosslinked aggregates. Furthermore, the operational stability for CO2 electroreduction to formate by DET is shown with approximately 100% Faradaic yield.

A major breakthrough in the field of rare earth element (REE) geochemistry has been the recent discovery of their utility to microbial life, as essential metalloenzymes catalyzing the oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde. Lanthanide-dependent bacteria are thought to be ubiquitous in marine and terrestrial environments, but direct field evidence of preferential microbial utilization of REE in natural systems is still lacking. In this study, we report on the REE and trace element composition of the tube of a siboglinid worm collected at a methane seep in the Gulf of Guinea; a tube-dwelling annelid that thrives in deep-sea chemosynthetic ecosystems. High-resolution trace element profiles along the chitin tube indicate marked enrichments of lanthanum (La) and cerium (Ce) in its oxic part, resulting in REE distribution patterns that depart significantly from the ambient seawater signature. Combined with various geochemical and microbiological evidence, this observation provides direct support for an active consumption of light-REE at cold seeps, associated with the aerobic microbial oxidation of methane. To further evaluate this hypothesis, we also re-examine the available set of REE data for modern seep carbonates worldwide. While most carbonate concretions at cold seeps generally display REE distribution patterns very similar to those for reduced pore waters in marine sediments, we find that seafloor carbonate pavements composed of aragonite commonly exhibit pronounced light-REE enrichments, as inferred from high shale-normalized La/Gd ratio (>~0.8), interpreted here as possibly reflecting the signature of lanthanide-dependent methanotrophic activity. This finding opens new perspectives for revisiting REE systematics in ancient seep carbonates and other microbialites throughout the Earth's history. In particular, the geochemical imprint of aerobic methane oxidation could be possibly traced using REE in Archaean stromatolites and other archives of Precambrian seawater

[FeFe]-hydrogenase enzymes employ a unique organometallic cofactor for efficient and reversible hydrogen conversion. This so-called H-cluster consists of a [4Fe-4S] cubane cysteine linked to a diiron complex coordinated by carbon monoxide and cyanide ligands and an azadithiolate ligand (adt =NH(CH2S)(2)).[FeFe]-hydrogenase apo-protein binding only the [4Fe-4S] sub-complex can be fully activated in vitro by the addition of a synthetic diiron site precursor complex ([2Fe](adt)). Elucidation of the mechanism of cofactor assembly will aid in the design of improved hydrogen processing synthetic catalysts. We combined electron paramagnetic resonance, Fourier-transform infrared, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy to characterize intermediates of H-cluster assembly as initiated by mixing of the apo-protein (HydA1) from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii with [2Fe](adt). The three methods consistently show rapid formation of a complete H-cluster in the oxidized, CO-inhibited state (Hox-CO) already within seconds after the mixing. Moreover, FTIR spectroscopy support a model in which Hox-CO formation is preceded by a short-lived Hred'-CO-like intermediate. Accumulation of Hox-CO was followed by CO release resulting in the slower conversion to the catalytically active state (Hox) as well as formation of reduced states of the H-cluster. [GRAPHICS] .

Hydrogenases are redox enzymes that catalyze the conversion of protons and molecular hydrogen (H-2). Based on the composition of the active site cofactor, the monometallic [Fe]-hydrogenase is distinguished from the bimetallic [NiFe]- or [FeFe]-hydrogenase. The latter has been reported with particularly high turnover activities for both H-2 release and H-2 oxidation, notably at neutral pH, ambient temperatures, and negligible electric overpotential. Due to these properties, [FeFe]-hydrogenase represents the "gold standard" in enzymatic hydrogen turnover. Understanding hydrogenase chemistry is crucial for the design of transition metal complexes that serve as potentially sustainable proton reduction or H-2 oxidation catalysts, e.g., in electrolytic devices or fuel cells. However, even 20 years after the crystal structures of [FeFe]-hydrogenase have been published, several aspects of biological hydrogen turnover are heatedly discussed. In this perspective, we give an overview on how the diversity of naturally occurring and artificially prepared, semisynthetic [FeFe]-hydrogenases deepens our understanding of hydrogenase chemistry. In parallel, we cover recent results from biophysical techniques that go beyond the scope of conventional X-ray diffraction, EPR, and FTIR spectroscopy. Taking into account both proton transfer and electron transfer as well as the notorious sensitivity of [FeFe]-hydrogenase toward carbon monoxide, the discussion further touches upon the molecular proceedings of biological hydrogen turnover.

Deoxynucleotide triphosphohydrolases (dNTPases) play a critical role in cellular survival and DNA replication through the proper maintenance of cellular dNTP pools. While the vast majority of these enzymes display broad activity toward canonical dNTPs, such as the dNTPase SAMHD1 that blocks reverse transcription of retroviruses in macrophages by maintaining dNTP pools at low levels, Escherichia coli (Ec)-dGTPase is the only known enzyme that specifically hydrolyzes dGTP. However, the mechanism behind dGTP selectivity is unclear. Here we present the free-, ligand (dGTP)- and inhibitor (GTP)-bound structures of hexameric Ec-dGTPase, including an X-ray free-electron laser structure of the free Ec-dGTPase enzyme to 3.2 Å. To obtain this structure, we developed a method that applied UV-fluorescence microscopy, video analysis, and highly automated goniometer-based instrumentation to map and rapidly position individual crystals randomly located on fixed target holders, resulting in the highest indexing rates observed for a serial femtosecond crystallography experiment. Our structures show a highly dynamic active site where conformational changes are coupled to substrate (dGTP), but not inhibitor binding, since GTP locks dGTPase in its apo- form. Moreover, despite no sequence homology, Ec-dGTPase and SAMHD1 share similar active-site and HD motif architectures; however, Ec-dGTPase residues at the end of the substrate-binding pocket mimic Watson-Crick interactions providing guanine base specificity, while a 7-Å cleft separates SAMHD1 residues from dNTP bases, abolishing nucleotide-type discrimination. Furthermore, the structures shed light on the mechanism by which long distance binding (25 Å) of single-stranded DNA in an allosteric site primes the active site by conformationally "opening" a tyrosine gate allowing enhanced substrate binding.

Haloarchaea (halophilic microbes belonging to the Archaea domain) are microorganisms requiring mid or even high salt concentrations to be alive. The molecular machinery of these organisms is adapted to such conditions, which are stressful for most life forms. Among their molecular adaptations, halophilic proteins are characterized by their high content of acidic amino acids (Aspartate (Asp) and glumate (Glu)), being only stable in solutions containing high salt concentration (between 1 and 4 M total salt concentration). Recent knowledge about haloarchaeal peptides, proteins, and enzymes have revealed that many haloarchaeal species produce proteins of interest due to their potential applications in biotechnology-based industries. Although proteins of interest are usually overproduced in recombinant prokaryotic or eukaryotic expression systems, these procedures do not accurately work for halophilic proteins, mainly if such proteins contain metallocofactors in their structures. This work summarizes the main challenges of heterologous and homologous expression of enzymes from haloarchaea, paying special attention to the metalloenzymes involved in the pathway of denitrification (anaerobic reduction of nitrate to dinitrogen), a pathway with significant implications in wastewater treatment, climate change, and biosensor design.

For millennia, humans have used microbes to produce industrial products of social and economical value through fermentation processes. In recent years, the application of engineering principles to microbiology have dramatically expanded our ability to modify and optimize microbes for the production of a wide variety of commercial products from renewable feedstocks: food and commodity chemicals, to biofuels and fine chemicals such as pharmaceuticals, fragrances, cosmetics or dyes. The use of microbial bioprocesses for the production of natural products represents an attractive and sustainable alternative to current industrial production methods, which mainly rely on chemical synthesis and/ or extraction from native producers. Advanced biomanufacturing technologies would not only provide sustainable economic benefits (by reducing the monetary cost of production of useful chemicals), but also offer social and environmental benefits. Synthetic biology has allowed engineering the production of many industrial compounds within microbes that do not naturally produce them – this is called “heterologous microbial biosynthesis”. In addition to replacing current manufacturing processes, heterologous microbial biosynthesis likely offers the only viable platform to produce certain natural products at industrial scales. Indeed, many relevant compounds cannot be viably manufactured through chemical synthesis, and/or are produced at undetectable/insufficient levels in native organisms. However, many heterologous bioprocesses remain in their infancy to fully enable an economically viable delivery of relevant natural products to the market. In order to build and sustain the promise of a bioeconomy for the 21st century, metabolic engineering is under pressure to continue to provide largescale, sustainable and cost-competitive bioprocesses that meet global needs. In this thesis, we focus on the development of microbial strains to accelerate the microbial production of 2 different famil, BN/Greg Bokinsky Lab

Rieske/mononuclear oxygenases are a group of metalloenzymes that catalyzes the oxidation of a diversity of compounds, it is noteworthy their ability to oxidize contaminant xenobiotic compounds, these enzymes also take part in the biosynthesis of some commercial valuable products. They have a broad substrate specificity that makes them a group of enzymes with a high biotechnological potential that has not been exploited to date. The present review analyzes general aspects of the structure and function of this important group of enzymes., Las oxigenasas Rieske/mononuclear son un grupo de metaloenzimas que catalizan la oxidación de una variedad de compuestos, destaca su participación en la degradación de compuestos xenobióticos contaminantes; estas enzimas también participan en la biosíntesis de algunos compuestos de interés comercial. Poseen una amplia especificidad por el sustrato, convirtiéndolas en un grupo de enzimas con un alto potencial de aplicación en procesos biotecnológicos que hasta el momento no ha sido explotado. La presente revisión aborda aspectos generales acerca de la función y estructura de este importante grupo de enzimas.

Nitrogenases catalyze the reduction of N2 to NH4 + at its cofactor site. Designated the M-cluster, this [MoFe7 S9 C(R-homocitrate)] cofactor is synthesized via the transformation of a [Fe4 S4 ] cluster pair into an [Fe8 S9 C] precursor (designated the L-cluster) prior to insertion of Mo and homocitrate. We report the characterization of an eight-iron cofactor precursor (designated the L*-cluster), which is proposed to have the composition [Fe8 S8 C] and lack the "9th sulfur" in the belt region of the L-cluster. Our X-ray absorption and electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) analyses strongly suggest that the L*-cluster represents a structural homologue to the l-cluster except for the missing belt sulfur. The absence of a belt sulfur from the L*-cluster may prove beneficial for labeling the catalytically important belt region, which could in turn facilitate investigations into the reaction mechanism of nitrogenases.

Chelating agents, molecules that very strongly coordinates certain metal ions, are used industrially as well as in consumer products to minimize disturbances and increase performance of reactions and applications. The widely used sequestering agents, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) belong to this branch of readily water-soluble compounds. When these chemical structures also have hydrophobic parts, they are prone to adsorb at air-water interfaces and to self-assemble. Such bifunctional molecules can be called chelating surfactants and will have more extended utilization prospects than common chelating agents or ordinary ionic surfactants. The present review attempts to highlight the fundamental behavior of chelating surfactants in solution and at interfaces, and their very specific interactions with metal ions. Methods to recover chelating surfactants from metal chelates are also described. Moreover, utilization of chelating surfactants in applications for metal removal in environmental engineering and mineral processing, as well as for metal control in the fields of biology, chemistry and physics, is exemplified and discussed.

The effect and the response of several trace elements (TE) addition to the anaerobic degradation of key compounds of lignocellulosic biomass were evaluated. Lignin, cellulose and xylose were selected as principal compounds of lignocellulosic biomass. Lignin degradation was only improved by the addition of 1000 mg Fe/L, which allowed an improvement on the methane yield coefficient of 28% compared to control. SEM images from an abiotic assay showed that this effect is more likely related with a chemical effect induced by the Fe solution, instead of an enzymatic response. Pre-treatments focused on breaking the recalcitrant structure of the lignin could be more promising than TE addition for rich lignin-content substrates. Unlike to the response observed with lignin, cellulose showed a clear effect of the TE addition on methane production rate, indicating a higher preponderance of the enzymatic activity compared to the lignin biomethanization. Experiments with xylose resulted in a strong accumulation of volatile fatty acids. TE addition should be adapted to the substrate composition given the different response of each lignocellulosic compound to the different TE addition.

EPR spectroscopy reveals the formation of two different semi-synthetic hydrogenases invivo. [FeFe] hydrogenases are metalloenzymes that catalyze the interconversion of molecular hydrogen and protons. The reaction is catalyzed by the H-cluster, consisting of a canonical iron-sulfur cluster and an organometallic [2Fe] subsite. It was recently shown that the enzyme can be reconstituted with synthetic cofactors mimicking the composition of the [2Fe] subsite, resulting in semi-synthetic hydrogenases. Herein, we employ EPR spectroscopy to monitor the formation of two such semi-synthetic enzymes in whole cells. The study provides the first spectroscopic characterization of semi-synthetic hydrogenases invivo, and the observation of two different oxidized states of the H-cluster under intracellular conditions. Moreover, these findings underscore how synthetic chemistry can be a powerful tool for manipulation and examination of the hydrogenase enzyme under invivo conditions.

To mimic the active sites of the hydrolytic enzyme zinc phosphotriesterase, a new dinucleating unsymmetric ligand, PICIMP (2-{[2-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-({[(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methyl](pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino}methyl)benzyl][(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methyl]amino}acetic acid), has been synthesized and characterized. The hydrolytic efficacy of the complex solution (PICIMP/ZnCl2 = 1:2) has been investigated using bis-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)phosphate (BDNPP), a DNA analogue substrate. Speciation studies were undertaken by potentiometric titrations at varying pH for both the ligand and the corresponding dizinc complex to elucidate the formation of the active hydrolysis catalyst; these studies reveal that the dinuclear zinc(II) complexes, [Zn-2(PICIMP)](2+) and [Zn-2(PICIMP)(OH)](+) predominate in solution above pH 4. The obtained pK(a) of 7.44 for the deprotonation of water suggests formation of a bridging hydroxide between the two Zn-II ions. Kinetic investigations of BDNPP hydrolysis over the pH range 5.5-10.5 have been performed. The cumulative results indicate the hydroxo-bridged dinuclear Zn-II complex [Zn-2(PICIMP)(mu-OH)](+) as the effective catalyst. Density functional theory calculations were performed to investigate the detailed reaction mechanism. The calculations suggest that the bridging hydroxide becomes terminally coordinated to one of the zinc ions before performing the nucleophilic attack in the reaction.

Multinuclear metal active sites are widely used as catalytic reaction centers in metalloenzymes and generally show high catalytic activity. For example, laccases are known to catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to water at a multinuclear copper site with almost no energy loss. The ORR is an important reaction not only in oxygenic respiration but also in future energy generation devices such as polymer electrolyte fuel cells and metal–air batteries. For large-scale commercialization of these devices, there is a need to develop highly active ORR electrocatalysts based on non-precious metals. Incorporation of multinuclear metal active sites in conductive materials such as carbon will allow us to develop highly active electrocatalysts like metalloenzymes. However, such methods had not been established yet. Herein, we report a copper-based ORR electrocatalysts with multinuclear copper active sites in nitrogen-doped graphene. The electrocatalyst was synthesized from the mixture of graphene oxide and a multinuclear copper complex in a short-period heating method. Electrochemical measurements revealed that the obtained electrocatalyst showed the highest electrocatalytic activity for the ORR in the Cu-based electrocatalysts in neutral aqueous solution. Physicochemical measurements including in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy revealed the incorporation of multinuclear copper sites. Our synthetic approach will offer guidance for developing highly active electrocatalysts utilizing multinuclear metal sites not only for the ORR but also for other electrocatalytic reactions.

Multinuclear metal active sites are widely used as catalytic reaction centers in metalloenzymes and generally show high catalytic activity. For example, laccases are known to catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to water at a multinuclear copper site with almost no energy loss. The ORR is an important reaction not only in oxygenic respiration but also in future energy generation devices such as polymer electrolyte fuel cells and metal–air batteries. For large-scale commercialization of these devices, there is a need to develop highly active ORR electrocatalysts based on non-precious metals. Incorporation of multinuclear metal active sites in conductive materials such as carbon will allow us to develop highly active electrocatalysts like metalloenzymes. However, such methods had not been established yet. Herein, we report a copper-based ORR electrocatalysts with multinuclear copper active sites in nitrogen-doped graphene. The electrocatalyst was synthesized from the mixture of graphene oxide and a multinuclear copper complex in a short-period heating method. Electrochemical measurements revealed that the obtained electrocatalyst showed the highest electrocatalytic activity for the ORR in the Cu-based electrocatalysts in neutral aqueous solution. Physicochemical measurements including in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy revealed the incorporation of multinuclear copper sites. Our synthetic approach will offer guidance for developing highly active electrocatalysts utilizing multinuclear metal sites not only for the ORR but also for other electrocatalytic reactions.

Mononuclear iron(II) complexes with facially coordinating N,N,O-ligands were synthesized as accurate structural mimics of the 2-His-1-carboxylate facial triad found in mononuclear non-heme iron enzymes. Mimicking of the facial triad is achieved by designing sterically demanding ligands providing two histidine-like benzimidazole moieties and a coordinating carboxylate or ester moiety. The new methyl-substituted analogue of the bis(benzimidazolyl)propionate ligand, BMBMeIP and its ester analogue, BMBMeIPnPr are designed to prevent the formation of previously reported coordinatively saturated FeL2 type complexes. The crystal structure of [Fe(BMBMeIPnPr)(OTf)2] shows a facial N,N,O-coordination that is very similar to the structure of the enzyme active sites. Both [Fe(BMBMeIPnPr)(OTf)2] and [Fe(BMBMeIP)(OTf)(MeCN)n] catalyze the epoxidation of olefins using H2O2, reaching turnover numbers up to 5.8 per iron. These results represent the first examples of iron complexes bearing a single facial and rigid N,N,O-coordinating ligand and three readily available coordination sites showing catalytic activity in oxidation reactions.

Protein conformational changes are fundamental to biological reactions. For copper ion transport, the multi-domain protein ATP7B in the Golgi network receives copper from the cytoplasmic copper chaperone Atox1 and, with energy from ATP hydrolysis, moves the metal to the lumen for loading of copper dependent enzymes. Although anticipated, conformational changes involved in ATP7B's functional cycle remain elusive. Using spectroscopic methods we here demonstrate that the four most N-terminal metal binding domains in ATP7B, upon stoichiometric copper addition, adopt a more compact arrangement which has a higher thermal stability than in the absence of copper. In contrast to previous reports, no stable complex was found in solution between the metal-binding domains and the nucleotide-binding domain of ATP7B. Metal-dependent movement of the first four metal-binding domains in ATP7B may be a trigger that initiates the overall catalytic cycle.

A series of Grubbs-type catalysts that contain lipase-inhibiting phosphoester functionalities have been synthesized and reacted with the lipase cutinase, which leads to artificial metalloenzymes for olefin metathesis. The resulting hybrids comprise the organometallic fragment that is covalently bound to the active amino acid residue of the enzyme host in an orthogonal orientation. Differences in reactivity as well as accessibility of the active site by the functionalized inhibitor became evident through variation of the anchoring motif and substituents on the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand. Such observations led to the design of a hybrid that is active in the ring-closing metathesis and the cross-metathesis of N,N-diallyl-p-toluenesulfonamide and allylbenzene, respectively, the latter being the first example of its kind in the field of artificial metalloenzymes.

Respiratory complex I converts the free energy of ubiquinone reduction by NADH into a proton motive force, a redox reaction catalyzed by flavin mononucleotide(FMN) and a chain of seven iron–sulfur centers. Electron transfer rates between the centers were determined by ultrafast freeze-quenching and analysis by EPR and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The complex rapidly oxidizes three NADH molecules. The electron-tunneling rate between the most distant centers in the middle of the chain depends on the redox state of center N2 at the end of the chain, and is sixfold slower when N2 is reduced. The conformational changes that accompany reduction of N2 decrease the electronic coupling of the longest electron-tunneling step. The chain of iron–sulfur centers is not just a simple electron-conducting wire; it regulates the electron-tunneling rate synchronizing it with conformation-mediated proton pumping, enabling efficient energy conversion. Synchronization of rates is a principle means of enhancing the specificity of enzymatic reactions., BT/Biotechnology, Applied Sciences

A single polypeptide chain may provide an astronomical number of conformers. Nature selected only a trivial number of them through evolution, composing an alphabet of scaffolds, that can afford the complete set of chemical reactions needed to support life. These structural templates are so stable that they allow several mutations without disruption of the global folding, even having the ability to bind several exogenous cofactors. With this perspective, metal cofactors play a crucial role in the regulation and catalysis of several processes. Nature is able to modulate the chemistry of metals, adopting only a few ligands and slightly different geometries. Several scaffolds and metal-binding motifs are representing the focus of intense interest in the literature. This review discusses the widespread four-helix bundle fold, adopted as a scaffold for metal binding sites in the context of de novo protein design to obtain basic biochemical components for biosensing or catalysis. In particular, we describe the rational refinement of structure/function in diiron-oxo protein models from the due ferri (DF) family. The DF proteins were developed by us through an iterative process of design and rigorous characterization, which has allowed a shift from structural to functional models. The examples reported herein demonstrate the importance of the synergic application of de novo design methods as well as spectroscopic and structural characterization to optimize the catalytic performance of artificial enzymes.

A p-nitrophenylphosphonate palladium pincer was synthesized and selectively inserted by irreversible attachment on the catalytic serine of different commercial lipases with good to excellent yields in most cases. Among all, lipase from Candida antarctica B (CAL-B) was the best modified enzyme. The artificial metalloenzyme CAL-B-palladium (Pd) catalyst was subsequently immobilized on different supports and by different orienting strategies. The catalytic properties of the immobilized hybrid catalysts were then evaluated in two sets of Heck cross-coupling reactions under different conditions. In the first reaction between iodobenzene and ethyl acrylate, the covalent immobilized CAL-B-Pd catalyst resulted to be the best one exhibiting quantitative production of the Heck product at 70°C in dimethylformamide (DMF) with 25% water and particularly in pure DMF, where the soluble Pd pincer was completely inactive. A post-immobilization engineering of catalyst surface by its hydrophobization enhanced the activity. The selectivity properties of the best hybrid catalyst were then assessed in the asymmetric Heck cross-coupling reaction between iodobenzene and 2,3-dihydrofuran retrieving excellent results in terms of stereo- and enantioselectivity.

Construction of artificial metalloenzymes based on protein assemblies is a promising strategy for the development of new catalysts, because the three-dimensional nanostructures of proteins with defined individual sizes can be used as molecular platforms that allow the arrangement of catalytic active centers on their surfaces. Protein needles/tubes/fibers are suitable for supporting various functional molecules, including metal complexes, synthetic molecules, metal nanoparticles, and enzymes with high densities and precise locations. Compared with bulk systems, the protein tube- and fiber-based materials have higher activities for catalytic reactions and electron transfer, as well as enhanced functions when used in electronic devices. The natural and synthetic protein tubes and fibers are constructed by self-assembly of monomer proteins or peptides. For more precise designs of arrangements of metal complexes, we have developed a new conceptual framework, based on the isolation of a robust needle structure from the cell-puncturing domains of a bacteriophage. The artificial protein needle shows great promise for use in creating efficient catalytic systems by providing the means to arrange the locations of various metal complexes on the protein surface. In this account, we discuss the recent development of protein needle-based metalloenzymes, and the future developments we are anticipating in this field.

Although many metalloenzymes containing iron play a prominent role in biological C-H activation processes, to date iron-mediated C(sp(3-)H heterolysis has not been reported for synthetic models of Fe/S-metalloenzymes. In contrast, ample precedent has established that nature's design for reversible hydrogen activation by the diiron hydrogenase ([FeFe]-H(2)ase) active site involves multiple irons, sulfur bridges, a redox switch, and a pendant amine base, in an intricate arrangement to perform H-H heterolytic cleavage. In response to whether this strategy might be extended to C-H activation, we report that a [FeFe]-H2ase model demonstrates iron-mediated intramolecular C-H heterolytic cleavage via an agostic C-H interaction, with proton removal by a nearby pendant amine, affording Fe-II-[ Fe'(II)-CH- S] three-membered-ring products, which can be reduced back to 1 by (CpCo)-Co-2 in the presence of HBF4. The function of the pendant base as a proton shuttle was confirmed by the crystal structures of the N-protonated intermediate and the final deprotonated product in comparison with that of a similar but pendant-amine-free complex that does not show evidence of C-H activation. The mechanism of the process was backed up by DFT calculations., QC 20150109

The heterodinuclear mixed-valence complex [FeMn(ICIMP)(OAc)(2)Cl] (1) {H2ICIMP = 2-(N-carboxylmethyl)-[N-(N-methylimidazolyl-2-methyl)aminomethyl]-[6-(N-isopropylmethyl)-[N-(N-methylimidazolyl-2-methyl)]aminomethyl-4-methylphenol], an unsymmetrical N4O2 donor ligand} has been synthesized and fully characterized by several spectroscopic techniques as well as by X-ray crystallography. The crystal structure of the complex reveals that both metal centers in 1 are six-coordinate with the chloride ion occupying the sixth coordination site of the Mn-II ion. The phenoxide moiety of the ICIMP ligand and both acetate ligands bridge the two metal ions of the complex. Mossbauer spectroscopy shows that the iron ion in 1 is high-spin Fe-III. Two quasi-reversible redox reactions for the complex, attributed to the (FeMnII)-Mn-III/(FeMnII)-Mn-II (at -0.67 V versus Fc/Fc(+)) and (FeMnII)-Mn-III/(FeMnIII)-Mn-III (at 0.84 V), were observed by means of cyclic voltammetry. Complex 1, with an Fe-III-Mn-II distance of 3.58 angstrom, may serve as a model for the mixed-valence oxidation state of purple acid phosphatase from sweet potato. The capability of the complex to effect organophosphate hydrolysis (phosphatase activity) has been investigated at different pH levels (5.5-11) by using bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl)phosphate (BDNPP) as the substrate. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the substrate coordinates to the Mn-II ion. In the transition state, a hydroxide ion that bridges the two metal ions becomes terminally coordinated to the Fe-III ion and acts as a nucleophile, attacking the phosphorus center of BDNPP with the concomitant dissociation of the leaving group., AuthorCount:11

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2012. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of John Wiley & Sons for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Geobiology 11 (2013): 295-306, doi:10.1111/gbi.12036., Here we explore enrichments in paleomarine Zn as recorded by authigenic iron oxides including Precambrian iron formations, ironstones and Phanerozoic hydrothermal exhalites. This compilation of new and literature-based iron formation analyses track dissolved Zn abundances and constrain the magnitude of the marine reservoir over geological time. Overall, the iron formation record is characterized by a fairly static range in Zn/Fe ratios throughout the Precambrian, consistent with the shale record (Scott et al., 2013, Nature Geoscience, 6, 125-128). When hypothetical partitioning scenarios are applied to this record, paleomarine Zn concentrations within about an order of magnitude of modern are indicated. We couple this examination with new chemical speciation models used to interpret the iron formation record. We present two scenarios: first, under all but the most sulfidic conditions and with Zn binding organic ligand concentrations similar to modern oceans, the amount of bioavailable Zn remained relatively unchanged through time. Late proliferation of Zn in eukaryotic metallomes has previously been linked to marine Zn biolimitation, but under this scenario, the expansion in eukaryotic Zn metallomes may be better linked to biologically intrinsic evolutionary factors. In this case zinc’s geochemical and biological evolution may be decoupled, and viewed as a function of increasing need for genome regulation and diversification of Zn-binding transcription factors. In the second scenario, we consider Archean organic ligand complexation in such excess that it may render Zn bioavailability low. However, this is dependent on Zn organic ligand complexes not being bioavailable, which remains unclear. In this case, although bioavailability may be low, sphalerite precipitation is prevented, thereby maintaining a constant Zn inventory throughout both ferruginous and euxinic conditions. These results provide new perspectives and constraints 50 on potential couplings between the, This work was supported by a NSERC Discovery Grant to KOK, a NSERC PDF to SVL, a NSERC CGSM to LJR, and an NSF-EAR-PDF to NJP. MAS acknowledges support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Grant #2724. This work was also supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) to A.K. (KA 1736/4-1 and 12-1).

Many transcripts expressed from plant organelle genomes are modified by C-to-U RNA editing. Nuclear encoded pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins are required as RNA binding specificity determinants in the RNA editing mechanism. Bioinformatic analysis has shown that most of the Arabidopsis PPR proteins necessary for RNA editing events include a C-terminal portion that shares structural characteristics with a superfamily of deaminases. The DYW deaminase domain includes a highly conserved zinc binding motif that shares characteristics with cytidine deaminases. The Arabidopsis PPR genes, ELI1 and DOT4, both have DYW deaminase domains and are required for single RNA editing events in chloroplasts. The ELI1 DYW deaminase domain was expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli and was shown to bind two zinc atoms per polypeptide. Thus, the DYW deaminase domain binds a zinc metal ion, as expected for a cytidine deaminase, and is potentially the catalytic component of an editing complex. Genetic complementation experiments demonstrate that large portions of the DYW deaminase domain of ELI1 may be eliminated, but the truncated genes retain the ability to restore editing site conversion in a mutant plant. These results suggest that the catalytic activity can be supplied in trans by uncharacterized protein(s) of the editosome.