title: Metallocofactor assembly for [FeFe]-hydrogenases.
abstract: Hydrogenases are a potential source of environmentally benign bioenergy, using complex cofactors to catalyze the reversible reduction of protons to form hydrogen. The most active subclass, the [FeFe]-hydrogenases, is dependent on a metallocofactor, the H cluster, that consists of a two iron subcluster ([2Fe]H) bridging to a classical cubane cluster ([4Fe-4S]H). The ligands coordinating to the diiron subcluster include an azadithiolate, three carbon monoxides, and two cyanides. To assemble this complex cofactor, three maturase enzymes, HydG, HydE and HydF are required. The biosynthesis of the diatomic ligands proceeds by an unusual fragmentation mechanism, and structural studies in combination with spectroscopic analysis have started to provide insights into the HydG mediated assembly of a [2Fe]Hsubcluster precursor.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry and the Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dinis
authors.affiliation: Chemistry and the Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
authors.forename: Beata M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Wieckowski
authors.affiliation: Chemistry and the Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK. Electronic address: plr2@soton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Peter L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Roach
mesh_terms: D003067:Coenzymes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D006864:Hydrogenase / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D007506:Iron-Sulfur Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003067:Coenzymes; D007506:Iron-Sulfur Proteins; C118830:iron hydrogenase; D006864:Hydrogenase