title: How algae produce hydrogen--news from the photosynthetic hydrogenase.
abstract: Green algae are the only known eukaryotes capable of oxygenic photosynthesis which are equipped with a hydrogen metabolism. Hydrogen production is light-dependent, since the [FeFe] hydrogenases are coupled to the photosynthetic electron transport chain via ferredoxin. Algal [FeFe] hydrogenases are one of the most active biocatalysts for the evolution of hydrogen. Therefore, special interest exists in the biophysical characterization and biotechnological usage of these [Fe-S] enzymes. This review traces the discovery of this interesting class of proteins. Recent findings allow insight into the electronic structure and configuration of the [FeFe] hydrogenase active site (H-cluster). Emphasis is placed on novel discoveries of the hydrogenase interaction with its natural electron donor ferredoxin and the mechanism of enzyme inactivation through oxygen.
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl Biochemie der Pflanzen, AG Photobiotechnologie, Ruhr Universität Bochum, Universitätsstrasse 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Sven T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Stripp
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Happe
mesh_terms: D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000201:enzymology*; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006864:Hydrogenase / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008027:Light; D010788:Photosynthesis
chemical_list: D006859:Hydrogen; D006864:Hydrogenase