EXAFS investigation of the binuclear cupric site in met T2D Rhus laccase and its azide bound derivative.

EXAFS analysis of met T2D Rhus laccase and its azide bound derivative indicates an average of 0.33 S at 2.09 A and 3-4 N (or O) atoms at 2.00 A per copper atom for the three copper centers. Using the plastocyanin Cu(II) EXAFS spectrum to model the type 1 site in laccase, a difference EXAFS spectrum for the type 3 site is generated; this spectrum enables assignment of the one S ligand in met T2D to the type 1 site and indicates no evidence of a detectable copper scatterer for the coupled binuclear copper site. Implications regarding type 3 optical features and related studies on the hemocyanins are also discussed.