Structural basis of denitrification.
Denitrification represents an important part of the biogeochemical cycle of the essential element nitrogen. It constitutes the predominant pathway of the reductive dissimilation of nitrate in the environment. Via four enzymatic reactions, nitrate is transformed stepwise to nitrite (NO2-), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrous oxide (N2O), to finally yield dinitrogen gas (N2). All steps within this metabolic pathway are catalyzed by complex multi-site metalloenzymes with unique spectroscopic and structural features. In recent years, high-resolution crystal structures have become available for these enzymes with the exception of the structure for NO reductase.
Einsle
Oliver
O
Abt. Molekulare Strukturbiologie, Institut für Mikrobiologie und Genetik, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.
Kroneck
Peter M H
PM
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
D009584:Nitrogen