Enzyme catalysis "reilluminated".
In a new light: The NADPH:protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) oxidoreductase (POR; see structure, green Pchlide, yellow NADPH) is a good model to investigate catalytical processes in enzymes, as its light activation allows an immediate start of the catalyzed reaction. By irradiation with weak, short laser pulses it is possible to detect conformation changes during the reaction and thus to uncover the elementary steps of the catalytic process.
Gärtner
Wolfgang
W
Max-Planck-Institut für Bioanorganische Chemie, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470 Mülheim, Germany. gaertner@mpi-muelheim.mpg.de
D055162:Biocatalysis; D003198:Computer Simulation; D009249:NADP / Q000737:chemistry; D044925:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors / Q000737:chemistry*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
D009249:NADP; D044925:Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors; C023886:protochlorophyllide reductase