1
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Jiang H, Ryde U. Putative reaction mechanism of nitrogenase with a half-dissociated S2B ligand. Dalton Trans 2024; 53:11500-11513. [PMID: 38916132 DOI: 10.1039/d4dt00937a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
We have studied whether dissociation of the S2B sulfide ligand from one of its two coordinating Fe ions may affect the later parts of the reaction mechanism of nitrogenase. Such dissociation has been shown to be favourable for the E2-E4 states in the reaction mechanism, but previous studies have assumed that S2B either remains bridging or has fully dissociated from the active-site FeMo cluster. We employ combined quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations with two density-functional theory methods, r2SCAN and TPSSh. To make dissociation of S2B possible, we have added a proton to this group throughout the reaction. We study the reaction starting from the E4 state with N2H2 bound to the cluster. Our results indicate that half-dissociation of S2B is unfavourable in most steps of the reaction mechanism. We observe favourable half-dissociation of S2B only when NH or NH2 is bound to the cluster, bridging Fe2 and Fe6. However, the former state is most likely not involved in the reaction mechanism and the latter state is only an intermittent intermediate of the E7 state. Therefore, half-dissociation of S2B seems to play only a minor role in the later parts of the reaction mechanism of nitrogenase. Our suggested mechanism with a protonated S2B is alternating (the two N atoms of the substrate is protonated in an alternating manner) and the substrate prefers to bind to Fe2, in contrast to the preferred binding to Fe6 observed when S2B is unprotonated and bridging Fe2 and Fe6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Jiang
- Department of Computational Chemistry, Lund University, Chemical Centre, P. O. Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden.
| | - Ulf Ryde
- Department of Computational Chemistry, Lund University, Chemical Centre, P. O. Box 124, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden.
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2
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McSkimming A, Thompson NB. Four-Coordinate Fe N 2 and Imido Complexes Supported by a Hemilabile NNC Heteroscorpionate Ligand. Inorg Chem 2022; 61:12318-12326. [PMID: 35895990 PMCID: PMC9367695 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c01656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
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Inspired by mechanistic proposals for N2 reduction
at
the nitrogenase FeMo cofactor, we report herein a new, strongly σ-donating
heteroscorpionate ligand featuring two weak-field pyrazoles and an
alkyl donor. This ligand supports four-coordinate Fe(I)-N2, Fe(II)-Cl, and Fe(III)-imido complexes, which we have characterized
using a variety of spectroscopic and computational methods. Structural
and quantum mechanical analysis reveal the nature of the Fe–C
bonds to be essentially invariant between the complexes, with conversion
between the (formally) low-valent Fe-N2 and high-valent
Fe-imido complexes mediated by pyrazole hemilability. This presents
a useful strategy for substrate reduction at such low-coordinate centers
and suggests a mechanism by which FeMoco might accommodate the binding
of both π-acidic and π-basic nitrogenous substrates. We report a new, strongly σ-donating
NNC heteroscorpionate
ligand and its Fe(I)-N2, Fe(II)-Cl and Fe(III)-imido complexes.
Conversion between the low-valent Fe-N2 and high-valent
Fe-imido complexes is mediated by pyrazole hemilability, presenting
a useful strategy for substrate reduction at such low-coordinate centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex McSkimming
- Department of Chemistry, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118, United States
| | - Niklas B Thompson
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
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3
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Jiang H, Ryde U. Thermodynamically Favourable States in the Reaction of Nitrogenase without Dissociation of any Sulfide Ligand. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202103933. [PMID: 35006641 PMCID: PMC9305431 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202103933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
We have used combined quantum mechanical and molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations to study the reaction mechanism of nitrogenase, assuming that none of the sulfide ligands dissociates. To avoid the problem that there is no consensus regarding the structure and protonation of the E4 state, we start from a state where N2 is bound to the cluster and is protonated to N2H2, after dissociation of H2. We show that the reaction follows an alternating mechanism with HNNH (possibly protonated to HNNH2) and H2NNH2 as intermediates and the two NH3 products dissociate at the E7 and E8 levels. For all intermediates, coordination to Fe6 is preferred, but for the E4 and E8 intermediates, binding to Fe2 is competitive. For the E4, E5 and E7 intermediates we find that the substrate may abstract a proton from the hydroxy group of the homocitrate ligand of the FeMo cluster, thereby forming HNNH2, H2NNH2 and NH3 intermediates. This may explain why homocitrate is a mandatory component of nitrogenase. All steps in the suggested reaction mechanism are thermodynamically favourable compared to protonation of the nearby His‐195 group and in all cases, protonation of the NE2 atom of the latter group is preferred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Jiang
- Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Lund University Chemical Centre, P. O. Box 124, 221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulf Ryde
- Department of Theoretical Chemistry, Lund University Chemical Centre, P. O. Box 124, 221 00, Lund, Sweden
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4
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Cząstka K, Oughli AA, Rüdiger O, DeBeer S. Enzymatic X-ray absorption spectroelectrochemistry. Faraday Discuss 2022; 234:214-231. [PMID: 35142778 DOI: 10.1039/d1fd00079a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The ability to observe the changes that occur at an enzyme active site during electrocatalysis can provide very valuable information for understanding the mechanism and ultimately aid in catalyst design. Herein, we discuss the development of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in combination with electrochemistry for operando studies of enzymatic systems. XAS has had a long history of enabling geometric and electronic structural insights into the catalytic active sites of enzymes, however, XAS combined with electrochemistry (XA-SEC) has been exceedingly rare in bioinorganic applications. Herein, we discuss the challenges and opportunities of applying operando XAS to enzymatic electrocatalysts. The challenges due to the low concentration of the photoabsorber and the instability of the protein in the X-ray beam are discussed. Methods for immobilizing enzymes on the electrodes, while maintaining full redox control are highlighted. A case study of combined XAS and electrochemistry applied to a [NiFe] hydrogenase is presented. By entrapping the [NiFe] hydrogenase in a redox polymer, relatively high protein concentrations can be achieved on the electrode surface, while maintaining redox control. Overall, it is demonstrated that the experiments are feasible, but require precise redox control over the majority of the absorber atoms and careful controls to discriminate between electrochemically-driven changes and beam damage. Opportunities for future applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Cząstka
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Mülheim an der Ruhr, DE, Germany.
| | - Alaa A Oughli
- Technical University Munich, Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Uferstraße 53, 94315 Straubing, Germany
| | - Olaf Rüdiger
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Mülheim an der Ruhr, DE, Germany.
| | - Serena DeBeer
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Mülheim an der Ruhr, DE, Germany.
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5
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Abstract
Carbide complexes remain a rare class of molecules. Their paucity does not reflect exceptional instability but is rather due to the generally narrow scope of synthetic procedures for constructing carbide complexes. The preparation of carbide complexes typically revolves around generating LnM-CEx fragments, followed by cleavage of the C-E bonds of the coordinated carbon-based ligands (the alternative being direct C atom transfer). Prime examples involve deoxygenation of carbonyl ligands and deprotonation of methyl ligands, but several other p-block fragments can be cleaved off to afford carbide ligands. This Review outlines synthetic strategies toward terminal carbide complexes, bridging carbide complexes, as well as carbide-carbonyl cluster complexes. It then surveys the reactivity of carbide complexes, covering stoichiometric reactions where the carbide ligands act as C1 reagents, engage in cross-coupling reactions, and enact Fischer-Tropsch-like chemistry; in addition, we discuss carbide complexes in the context of catalysis. Finally, we examine spectroscopic features of carbide complexes, which helps to establish the presence of the carbide functionality and address its electronic structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Reinholdt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Bendix
- Department of Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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6
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Weindl R, Khare R, Kovarik L, Jentys A, Reuter K, Shi H, Lercher JA. Zeolite‐Stabilized Di‐ and Tetranuclear Molybdenum Sulfide Clusters Form Stable Catalytic Hydrogenation Sites. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202015769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roland Weindl
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center Technical University of Munich 85747 Garching Germany
| | - Rachit Khare
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center Technical University of Munich 85747 Garching Germany
| | - Libor Kovarik
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland WA 99352 USA
| | - Andreas Jentys
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center Technical University of Munich 85747 Garching Germany
| | - Karsten Reuter
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center Technical University of Munich 85747 Garching Germany
- Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Hui Shi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Yangzhou University Yangzhou Jiangsu 225009 China
| | - Johannes A. Lercher
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center Technical University of Munich 85747 Garching Germany
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Richland WA 99352 USA
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7
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Weindl R, Khare R, Kovarik L, Jentys A, Reuter K, Shi H, Lercher JA. Zeolite-Stabilized Di- and Tetranuclear Molybdenum Sulfide Clusters Form Stable Catalytic Hydrogenation Sites. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:9301-9305. [PMID: 33576131 PMCID: PMC8252740 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202015769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Supercages of faujasite (FAU)‐type zeolites serve as a robust scaffold for stabilizing dinuclear (Mo2S4) and tetranuclear (Mo4S4) molybdenum sulfide clusters. The FAU‐encaged Mo4S4 clusters have a distorted cubane structure similar to the FeMo‐cofactor in nitrogenase. Both clusters possess unpaired electrons on Mo atoms. Additionally, they show identical catalytic activity per sulfide cluster. Their catalytic activity is stable (>150 h) for ethene hydrogenation, while layered MoS2 structures deactivate significantly under the same reaction conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Weindl
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technical University of Munich, 85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Rachit Khare
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technical University of Munich, 85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Libor Kovarik
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Andreas Jentys
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technical University of Munich, 85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Karsten Reuter
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technical University of Munich, 85747, Garching, Germany.,Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hui Shi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, China
| | - Johannes A Lercher
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technical University of Munich, 85747, Garching, Germany.,Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
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8
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Van Stappen C, Decamps L, DeBeer S. Preparation and spectroscopic characterization of lyophilized Mo nitrogenase. J Biol Inorg Chem 2021; 26:81-91. [PMID: 33381859 PMCID: PMC8038959 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-020-01838-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Mo nitrogenase is the primary source of biologically fixed nitrogen, making this system highly interesting for developing new, energy efficient ways of ammonia production. Although heavily investigated, studies of the active site of this enzyme have generally been limited to spectroscopic methods that are compatible with the presence of water and relatively low protein concentrations. One method of overcoming this limitation is through lyophilization, which allows for measurements to be performed on solvent free, high concentration samples. This method also has the potential for allowing efficient protein storage and solvent exchange. To investigate the viability of this preparatory method with Mo nitrogenase, we employ a combination of electron paramagnetic resonance, Mo and Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and acetylene reduction assays. Our results show that while some small distortions in the metallocofactors occur, oxidation and spin states are maintained through the lyophilization process and that reconstitution of either lyophilized protein component into buffer restores acetylene reducing activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey Van Stappen
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.
| | - Laure Decamps
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Serena DeBeer
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
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9
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Arnett CH, Bogacz I, Chatterjee R, Yano J, Oyala PH, Agapie T. Mixed-Valent Diiron μ-Carbyne, μ-Hydride Complexes: Implications for Nitrogenase. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:18795-18813. [PMID: 32976708 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c05920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Binding of N2 by the FeMo-cofactor of nitrogenase is believed to occur after transfer of 4 e- and 4 H+ equivalents to the active site. Although pulse EPR studies indicate the presence of two Fe-(μ-H)-Fe moieties, the structural and electronic features of this mixed valent intermediate remain poorly understood. Toward an improved understanding of this bioorganometallic cluster, we report herein that diiron μ-carbyne complex (P6ArC)Fe2(μ-H) can be oxidized and reduced, allowing for the first time spectral characterization of two EPR-active Fe(μ-C)(μ-H)Fe model complexes linked by a 2 e- transfer which bear some resemblance to a pair of En and En+2 states of nitrogenase. Both species populate S = 1/2 states at low temperatures, and the influence of valence (de)localization on the spectroscopic signature of the μ-hydride ligand was evaluated by pulse EPR studies. Compared to analogous data for the {Fe2(μ-H)}2 state of FeMoco (E4(4H)), the data and analysis presented herein suggest that the hydride ligands in E4(4H) bridge isovalent (most probably FeIII) metal centers. Although electron transfer involves metal-localized orbitals, investigations of [(P6ArC)Fe2(μ-H)]+1 and [(P6ArC)Fe2(μ-H)]-1 by pulse EPR revealed that redox chemistry induces significant changes in Fe-C covalency (-50% upon 2 e- reduction), a conclusion further supported by X-ray absorption spectroscopy, 57Fe Mössbauer studies, and DFT calculations. Combined, our studies demonstrate that changes in covalency buffer against the accumulation of excess charge density on the metals by partially redistributing it to the bridging carbon, thereby facilitating multielectron transformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles H Arnett
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Isabel Bogacz
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Ruchira Chatterjee
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Junko Yano
- Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Paul H Oyala
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Theodor Agapie
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
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10
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Abstract
Nitrogenase is the only enzyme capable of reducing N2 to NH3. This challenging reaction requires the coordinated transfer of multiple electrons from the reductase, Fe-protein, to the catalytic component, MoFe-protein, in an ATP-dependent fashion. In the last two decades, there have been significant advances in our understanding of how nitrogenase orchestrates electron transfer (ET) from the Fe-protein to the catalytic site of MoFe-protein and how energy from ATP hydrolysis transduces the ET processes. In this review, we summarize these advances, with focus on the structural and thermodynamic redox properties of nitrogenase component proteins and their complexes, as well as on new insights regarding the mechanism of ET reactions during catalysis and how they are coupled to ATP hydrolysis. We also discuss recently developed chemical, photochemical, and electrochemical methods for uncoupling substrate reduction from ATP hydrolysis, which may provide new avenues for studying the catalytic mechanism of nitrogenase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L Rutledge
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0340, United States
| | - F Akif Tezcan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0340, United States
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11
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Van Stappen C, Decamps L, Cutsail GE, Bjornsson R, Henthorn JT, Birrell JA, DeBeer S. The Spectroscopy of Nitrogenases. Chem Rev 2020; 120:5005-5081. [PMID: 32237739 PMCID: PMC7318057 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogenases are responsible for biological nitrogen fixation, a crucial step in the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle. These enzymes utilize a two-component protein system and a series of iron-sulfur clusters to perform this reaction, culminating at the FeMco active site (M = Mo, V, Fe), which is capable of binding and reducing N2 to 2NH3. In this review, we summarize how different spectroscopic approaches have shed light on various aspects of these enzymes, including their structure, mechanism, alternative reactivity, and maturation. Synthetic model chemistry and theory have also played significant roles in developing our present understanding of these systems and are discussed in the context of their contributions to interpreting the nature of nitrogenases. Despite years of significant progress, there is still much to be learned from these enzymes through spectroscopic means, and we highlight where further spectroscopic investigations are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey Van Stappen
- Max Planck Institute for
Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Laure Decamps
- Max Planck Institute for
Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - George E. Cutsail
- Max Planck Institute for
Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Ragnar Bjornsson
- Max Planck Institute for
Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Justin T. Henthorn
- Max Planck Institute for
Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - James A. Birrell
- Max Planck Institute for
Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Serena DeBeer
- Max Planck Institute for
Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
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12
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Seefeldt LC, Yang ZY, Lukoyanov DA, Harris DF, Dean DR, Raugei S, Hoffman BM. Reduction of Substrates by Nitrogenases. Chem Rev 2020; 120:5082-5106. [PMID: 32176472 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Nitrogenase is the enzyme that catalyzes biological N2 reduction to NH3. This enzyme achieves an impressive rate enhancement over the uncatalyzed reaction. Given the high demand for N2 fixation to support food and chemical production and the heavy reliance of the industrial Haber-Bosch nitrogen fixation reaction on fossil fuels, there is a strong need to elucidate how nitrogenase achieves this difficult reaction under benign conditions as a means of informing the design of next generation synthetic catalysts. This Review summarizes recent progress in addressing how nitrogenase catalyzes the reduction of an array of substrates. New insights into the mechanism of N2 and proton reduction are first considered. This is followed by a summary of recent gains in understanding the reduction of a number of other nitrogenous compounds not considered to be physiological substrates. Progress in understanding the reduction of a wide range of C-based substrates, including CO and CO2, is also discussed, and remaining challenges in understanding nitrogenase substrate reduction are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance C Seefeldt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Zhi-Yong Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Dmitriy A Lukoyanov
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Derek F Harris
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Dennis R Dean
- Biochemistry Department, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Simone Raugei
- Physical and Computational Sciences Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Brian M Hoffman
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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13
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Dance I. Computational Investigations of the Chemical Mechanism of the Enzyme Nitrogenase. Chembiochem 2020; 21:1671-1709. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian Dance
- School of Chemistry UNSW Sydney Sydney 2052 Australia
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14
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Nagelski AL, Fataftah MS, Bollmeyer MM, McWilliams SF, MacMillan SN, Mercado BQ, Lancaster KM, Holland PL. The influences of carbon donor ligands on biomimetic multi-iron complexes for N 2 reduction. Chem Sci 2020; 11:12710-12720. [PMID: 34094466 PMCID: PMC8163302 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc03447a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The active site clusters of nitrogenase enzymes possess the only examples of carbides in biology. These are the only biological FeS clusters that are capable of reducing N2 to NH4+, implicating the central carbon and its interaction with Fe as important in the mechanism of N2 reduction. This biological question motivates study of the influence of carbon donors on the electronic structure and reactivity of unsaturated, high-spin iron centers. Here, we present functional and structural models that test the impacts of carbon donors and sulfide donors in simpler iron compounds. We report the first example of a diiron complex that is bridged by an alkylidene and a sulfide, which serves as a high-fidelity structural and spectroscopic model of a two-iron portion of the active-site cluster (FeMoco) in the resting state of Mo-nitrogenase. The model complexes have antiferromagnetically coupled pairs of high-spin iron centers, and sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy shows comparable covalency of the sulfide for C and S bridged species. The sulfur-bridged compound does not interact with N2 even upon reduction, but upon removal of the sulfide it becomes capable of reducing N2 to NH4+ with the addition of protons and electrons. This provides synthetic support for sulfide extrusion in the activation of nitrogenase cofactors. High-spin diiron alkylidenes give insight into the electronic structure and functional relevance of carbon in the FeMoco active site of nitrogenase.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Melissa M. Bollmeyer
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
- Baker Laboratory
- Cornell University
- Ithaca
- USA
| | | | - Samantha N. MacMillan
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
- Baker Laboratory
- Cornell University
- Ithaca
- USA
| | | | - Kyle M. Lancaster
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
- Baker Laboratory
- Cornell University
- Ithaca
- USA
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15
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Van Stappen C, Thorhallsson AT, Decamps L, Bjornsson R, DeBeer S. Resolving the structure of the E 1 state of Mo nitrogenase through Mo and Fe K-edge EXAFS and QM/MM calculations. Chem Sci 2019; 10:9807-9821. [PMID: 32055350 PMCID: PMC6984330 DOI: 10.1039/c9sc02187f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological nitrogen fixation is predominately accomplished through Mo nitrogenase, which utilizes a complex MoFe7S9C catalytic cluster to reduce N2 to NH3. This cluster requires the accumulation of three to four reducing equivalents prior to binding N2; however, despite decades of research, the intermediate states formed prior to N2 binding are still poorly understood. Herein, we use Mo and Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy and QM/MM calculations to investigate the nature of the E1 state, which is formed following the addition of the first reducing equivalent to Mo nitrogenase. By analyzing the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) region, we provide structural insight into the changes that occur in the metal clusters of the protein when forming the E1 state, and use these metrics to assess a variety of possible models of the E1 state. The combination of our experimental and theoretical results supports that formation of E1 involves an Fe-centered reduction combined with the protonation of a belt-sulfide of the cluster. Hence, these results provide critical experiment and computational insight into the mechanism of this important enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey Van Stappen
- Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion , Stiftstrasse 34-36 , 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr , NRW , Germany . ;
| | - Albert Thor Thorhallsson
- Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion , Stiftstrasse 34-36 , 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr , NRW , Germany . ;
| | - Laure Decamps
- Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion , Stiftstrasse 34-36 , 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr , NRW , Germany . ;
| | - Ragnar Bjornsson
- Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion , Stiftstrasse 34-36 , 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr , NRW , Germany . ;
| | - Serena DeBeer
- Max-Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion , Stiftstrasse 34-36 , 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr , NRW , Germany . ;
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16
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Speelman AL, Čorić I, Van Stappen C, DeBeer S, Mercado BQ, Holland PL. Nitrogenase-Relevant Reactivity of a Synthetic Iron-Sulfur-Carbon Site. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:13148-13157. [PMID: 31403298 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b05353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Simple synthetic compounds with only S and C donors offer a ligation environment similar to the active site of nitrogenase (FeMoco) and thus demonstrate reasonable mechanisms and geometries for N2 binding and reduction in nature. We recently reported the first example of N2 binding at a mononuclear iron site supported by only S and C donors. In this work, we report experiments that examine the mechanism of N2 binding in this system. The reduction of an iron(II) tris(thiolate) complex with 1 equiv of KC8 leads to a thermally unstable intermediate, and a combination of Mössbauer, EPR, and X-ray absorption spectroscopies identifies it as a high-spin (S = 3/2) iron(I) species that maintains coordination of all three sulfur atoms. DFT calculations suggest that this iron(I) intermediate has a pseudotetrahedral geometry that resembles the S3C iron coordination environment of the belt iron sites in the resting state of the FeMoco. Further reduction to the iron(0) oxidation level under argon causes the dissociation of one of the thiolate donors and gives an η6-arene species which reacts with N2. Thus, in this system the loss of thiolate and binding of N2 require reduction beyond the iron(I) level to the iron(0) level. Further reduction of the iron(0)-N2 complex gives a reactive, formally iron(-I) species. Treatment of the putative iron(-I) complex with weak acids gives low yields of ammonia and hydrazine, demonstrating that these nitrogenase products can be generated from N2 at a synthetic Fe-S-C site. Catalytic N2 reduction is not observed, which is attributed to protonation of the supporting ligand and degradation of the complex via ligand dissociation. Identification of the challenges in this system gives insight into the design features needed for functional biomimetic complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Speelman
- Department of Chemistry , Yale University , 225 Prospect Street , New Haven , Connecticut 06520 , United States
| | - Ilija Čorić
- Department of Chemistry , Yale University , 225 Prospect Street , New Haven , Connecticut 06520 , United States
| | - Casey Van Stappen
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion , Stiftstraße 34-36 , D-45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr , Germany
| | - Serena DeBeer
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion , Stiftstraße 34-36 , D-45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr , Germany
| | - Brandon Q Mercado
- Department of Chemistry , Yale University , 225 Prospect Street , New Haven , Connecticut 06520 , United States
| | - Patrick L Holland
- Department of Chemistry , Yale University , 225 Prospect Street , New Haven , Connecticut 06520 , United States
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17
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Survey of the Geometric and Electronic Structures of the Key Hydrogenated Forms of FeMo-co, the Active Site of the Enzyme Nitrogenase: Principles of the Mechanistically Significant Coordination Chemistry. INORGANICS 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/inorganics7010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The enzyme nitrogenase naturally hydrogenates N2 to NH3, achieved through the accumulation of H atoms on FeMo-co, the Fe7MoS9C(homocitrate) cluster that is the catalytically active site. Four intermediates, E1H1, E2H2, E3H3, and E4H4, carry these hydrogen atoms. I report density functional calculations of the numerous possibilities for the geometric and electronic structures of these poly-hydrogenated forms of FeMo-co. This survey involves more than 100 structures, including those with bound H2, and assesses their relative energies and most likely electronic states. Twelve locations for bound H atoms in the active domain of FeMo-co, including Fe–H–Fe and Fe–H–S bridges, are studied. A significant result is that transverse Fe–H–Fe bridges (transverse to the pseudo-threefold axis of FeMo-co and shared with triply-bridging S) are not possible geometrically unless the S is hydrogenated to become doubly-bridging. The favourable Fe–H–Fe bridges are shared with doubly-bridging S. ENDOR data for an E4H4 intermediate trapped at low temperature, and interpretations in terms of the geometrical and electronic structure of E4H4, are assessed in conjunction with the calculated possibilities. The results reported here yield a set of 24 principles for the mechanistically significant coordination chemistry of H and H2 on FeMo-co, in the stages prior to N2 binding.
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18
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Arnett CH, Chalkley MJ, Agapie T. A Thermodynamic Model for Redox-Dependent Binding of Carbon Monoxide at Site-Differentiated, High Spin Iron Clusters. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:5569-5578. [PMID: 29589921 PMCID: PMC6452638 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b01825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Binding of N2 and CO by the FeMo-cofactor of nitrogenase depends on the redox level of the cluster, but the extent to which pure redox chemistry perturbs the affinity of high spin iron clusters for π-acids is not well understood. Here, we report a series of site-differentiated iron clusters that reversibly bind CO in redox states FeII4 through FeIIFeIII3. One electron redox events result in small changes in the affinity for (at most ∼400-fold) and activation of CO (at most 28 cm-1 for νCO). The small influence of redox chemistry on the affinity of these high spin, valence-localized clusters for CO is in stark contrast to the large enhancements (105-1022 fold) in π-acid affinity reported for monometallic and low spin, bimetallic iron complexes, where redox chemistry occurs exclusively at the ligand binding site. While electron-loading at metal centers remote from the substrate binding site has minimal influence on the CO binding energetics (∼1 kcal·mol-1), it provides a conduit for CO binding at an FeIII center. Indeed, internal electron transfer from these remote sites accommodates binding of CO at an FeIII, with a small energetic penalty arising from redox reorganization (∼2.6 kcal·mol-1). The ease with which these clusters redistribute electrons in response to ligand binding highlights a potential pathway for coordination of N2 and CO by FeMoco, which may occur on an oxidized edge of the cofactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles H. Arnett
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Matthew J. Chalkley
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Theodor Agapie
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
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19
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Abstract
For over 20 years, nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) has been used to study vibrational dynamics of iron-containing materials. With the only selection rule being iron motion, 57Fe NRVS has become an excellent tool to study iron-containing enzymes. Over the past decade, considerable progress has been made in the study of complex metalloenzymes using NRVS. Iron cofactors in heme-containing globins; [2Fe2S], [3Fe4S], [4Fe4S] proteins; the [NiFe] and [FeFe] hydrogenases; and nitrogenases have been explored in a fashion not possible through traditional vibrational spectroscopy. In this chapter, we discuss the basics of NRVS, a strategy to perform NRVS, and a discussion of the application of NRVS on rubredoxin and [FeFe] hydrogenase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leland B Gee
- University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States.
| | - Hongxin Wang
- University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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20
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DeBeer S. Advanced X-ray Spectroscopic Methods for Studying Iron-Sulfur-Containing Proteins and Model Complexes. Methods Enzymol 2017; 599:427-450. [PMID: 29746249 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2017.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
In this chapter, a brief overview of X-ray spectroscopic methods that may be utilized to obtain insight into the geometric and electronic structure of iron-sulfur proteins is provided. These methods include conventional methods, such as metal and ligand K-edge X-ray absorption, as well as more advanced methods including nonresonant and resonant X-ray emission. In each section, the basic information content of the spectra is highlighted and important experimental considerations are discussed. Throughout the chapter, recent applications to iron-sulfur-containing models and proteins are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena DeBeer
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.
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21
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Nowakowski M, Czapla-Masztafiak J, Szlachetko J, Kwiatek WM. Electronic structure of Fe, α-Fe 2 O 3 and Fe(NO 3 ) 3 × 9 H 2 O determined using RXES. Chem Phys 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphys.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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22
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Horitani M, Grubel K, McWilliams SF, Stubbert BD, Mercado BQ, Yu Y, Gurubasavaraj PM, Lees NS, Holland PL, Hoffman BM. ENDOR characterization of an iron-alkene complex provides insight into a corresponding organometallic intermediate of nitrogenase. Chem Sci 2017; 8:5941-5948. [PMID: 28989623 PMCID: PMC5620524 DOI: 10.1039/c7sc01602f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Comparison of an iron(I)–alkene complex to a nitrogenase intermediate using ENDOR reveals details of the binding geometry.
A bio-organometallic intermediate, denoted PA, was previously trapped during the reduction of propargyl alcohol to allyl alcohol (AA) by nitrogenase, and a similar one was trapped during acetylene reduction, representing foundational examples of alkene binding to a metal center in biology. ENDOR spectroscopy led to the conclusion that these intermediates have η2 binding of the alkene, with the hydrogens on the terminal carbon structurally/magnetically equivalent and related by local mirror symmetry. However, our understanding of both the PA intermediate, and of the dependability of the ENDOR analysis on which this understanding was based, was constrained by the absence of reference iron–alkene complexes for EPR/ENDOR comparison. Here, we report an ENDOR study of the crystallographically characterized biomimetic iron(i) complex 1, which exhibits η2 coordination of styrene, thus connecting hyperfine and structural parameters of an Fe-bound alkene fragment for the first time. A tilt of the alkene plane of 1 from normal to the crystallographic Fe–C2–C1 plane causes substantial differences in the dipolar couplings of the two terminal vinylic protons. Comparison of the hyperfine couplings of 1 and PA confirms the proposed symmetry of PA, and that the η2 interaction forms a scalene Fe–C–C triangle, rather than an isosceles triangle. This spectroscopic study of a structurally characterized complex thus shows the exceptional sensitivity of ENDOR spectroscopy to structural details, while enhancing our understanding of the geometry of a key nitrogenase adduct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Horitani
- Department of Chemistry , Northwestern University , Evanston , Illinois 60208 , USA . .,Department of Applied Biochemistry and Food Science , Saga University , Saga , 840-8502 , Japan
| | - Katarzyna Grubel
- Department of Chemistry , Yale University , New Haven , CT 06520 , USA .
| | - Sean F McWilliams
- Department of Chemistry , Yale University , New Haven , CT 06520 , USA .
| | - Bryan D Stubbert
- Department of Chemistry , University of Rochester , Rochester , New York 14627 , USA
| | - Brandon Q Mercado
- Department of Chemistry , Yale University , New Haven , CT 06520 , USA .
| | - Ying Yu
- Department of Chemistry , University of Rochester , Rochester , New York 14627 , USA
| | | | - Nicholas S Lees
- Department of Chemistry , Northwestern University , Evanston , Illinois 60208 , USA .
| | - Patrick L Holland
- Department of Chemistry , Yale University , New Haven , CT 06520 , USA .
| | - Brian M Hoffman
- Department of Chemistry , Northwestern University , Evanston , Illinois 60208 , USA .
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23
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Djurdjevic I, Einsle O, Decamps L. Nitrogenase Cofactor: Inspiration for Model Chemistry. Chem Asian J 2017; 12:1447-1455. [PMID: 28425208 DOI: 10.1002/asia.201700478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Djurdjevic
- Institute for Biochemistry; Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg; Albertstrasse 21 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau Germany
| | - Oliver Einsle
- Institute for Biochemistry; Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg; Albertstrasse 21 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau Germany
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies; Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg; Schänzlestrasse 1 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau Germany
| | - Laure Decamps
- Institute for Biochemistry; Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg; Albertstrasse 21 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau Germany
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24
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Ohta S, Ohki Y. Impact of ligands and media on the structure and properties of biological and biomimetic iron-sulfur clusters. Coord Chem Rev 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2017.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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25
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Dance I. New insights into the reaction capabilities of His195 adjacent to the active site of nitrogenase. J Inorg Biochem 2017; 169:32-43. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2017.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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26
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Čorić I, Holland PL. Insight into the Iron-Molybdenum Cofactor of Nitrogenase from Synthetic Iron Complexes with Sulfur, Carbon, and Hydride Ligands. J Am Chem Soc 2016; 138:7200-11. [PMID: 27171599 PMCID: PMC5508211 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b00747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Nitrogenase enzymes are used by microorganisms for converting atmospheric N2 to ammonia, which provides an essential source of N atoms for higher organisms. The active site of the molybdenum-dependent nitrogenase is the unique carbide-containing iron-sulfur cluster called the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMoco). On the FeMoco, N2 binding is suggested to occur at one or more iron atoms, but the structures of the catalytic intermediates are not clear. In order to establish the feasibility of different potential mechanistic steps during biological N2 reduction, chemists have prepared iron complexes that mimic various structural aspects of the iron sites in the FeMoco. This reductionist approach gives mechanistic insight, and also uncovers fundamental principles that could be used more broadly for small-molecule activation. Here, we discuss recent results and highlight directions for future research. In one direction, synthetic iron complexes have now been shown to bind N2, break the N-N triple bond, and produce ammonia catalytically. Carbon- and sulfur-based donors have been incorporated into the ligand spheres of Fe-N2 complexes to show how these atoms may influence the structure and reactivity of the FeMoco. Hydrides have been incorporated into synthetic systems, which can bind N2, reduce some nitrogenase substrates, and/or reductively eliminate H2 to generate reduced iron centers. Though some carbide-containing iron clusters are known, none yet have sulfide bridges or high-spin iron atoms like the FeMoco.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilija Čorić
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Patrick L. Holland
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
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27
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McKee ML. A New Nitrogenase Mechanism Using a CFe8S9 Model: Does H2 Elimination Activate the Complex to N2 Addition to the Central Carbon Atom? J Phys Chem A 2016; 120:754-64. [PMID: 26821350 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.5b10384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A truncated model of the FeMo cofactor is used to explore a new mechanism for the conversion of N2 to NH3 by the nitrogenase enzyme. After four initial protonation/reduction steps, the H4CFe8S9 cluster has two hydrogen atoms attached to sulfur, one hydrogen bridging two iron centers and one hydrogen bonded to carbon. The loss of the CH and FeHFe hydrogens as molecular hydrogen activates the cluster to addition of N2 to the carbon center. This unique step takes place at a nearly planar four-coordinate carbon center and leads to an intermediate with a significantly weakened N-N bond. A hydrogen attached to a sulfur atom is then transferred to the distal nitrogen atom. Additional prontonation/reduction steps are modeled by adding a hydrogen atom to sulfur and locating the transition states for transfer to nitrogen. The first NH3 is lost in a thermal neutral step, while the second step is endothermic. The loss of H2 activates the complex by reducing the barrier for N2 addition by 3.5 kcal/mol. Since this is the most difficult step in the mechanism, reducing the barrier for this step justifies the "extra expense" of H2 production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L McKee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Auburn University , Auburn, Alabama 36849, United States
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28
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Čorić I, Mercado BQ, Bill E, Vinyard DJ, Holland PL. Binding of dinitrogen to an iron-sulfur-carbon site. Nature 2015; 526:96-9. [PMID: 26416755 PMCID: PMC4592811 DOI: 10.1038/nature15246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogenases are the enzymes by which certain microorganisms convert atmospheric dinitrogen (N2) to ammonia, thereby providing essential nitrogen atoms for higher organisms. The most common nitrogenases reduce atmospheric N2 at the FeMo cofactor, a sulfur-rich iron-molybdenum cluster (FeMoco). The central iron sites that are coordinated to sulfur and carbon atoms in FeMoco have been proposed to be the substrate binding sites, on the basis of kinetic and spectroscopic studies. In the resting state, the central iron sites each have bonds to three sulfur atoms and one carbon atom. Addition of electrons to the resting state causes the FeMoco to react with N2, but the geometry and bonding environment of N2-bound species remain unknown. Here we describe a synthetic complex with a sulfur-rich coordination sphere that, upon reduction, breaks an Fe-S bond and binds N2. The product is the first synthetic Fe-N2 complex in which iron has bonds to sulfur and carbon atoms, providing a model for N2 coordination in the FeMoco. Our results demonstrate that breaking an Fe-S bond is a chemically reasonable route to N2 binding in the FeMoco, and show structural and spectroscopic details for weakened N2 on a sulfur-rich iron site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilija Čorić
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
| | - Brandon Q Mercado
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
| | - Eckhard Bill
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, Stiftstrasse 34-36, D-45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - David J Vinyard
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
| | - Patrick L Holland
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
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29
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Wang B, Zhou X, Wang D, Yin JJ, Chen H, Gao X, Zhang J, Ibrahim K, Chai Z, Feng W, Zhao Y. Structure and catalytic activities of ferrous centers confined on the interface between carbon nanotubes and humic acid. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:2651-2658. [PMID: 25580558 DOI: 10.1039/c4nr06665k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Preparation of heterogeneous catalysts with active ferrous centers is of great significance for industrial and environmental catalytic processes. Nanostructured carbon materials (NCM), which possess free-flowing π electrons, can coordinate with transition metals, provide a confinement environment for catalysis, and act as potential supports or ligands to construct analogous complexes. However, designing such catalysts using NCM is still seldom studied to date. Herein, we synthesized a sandwich structured ternary complex via the coordination of Fe-loaded humic acid (HA) with C=C bonds in the aromatic rings of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), in which the O/N-Fe-C interface configuration provides the confinement environment for the ferrous sites. The experimental and theoretical results revealed octahedrally/tetrahedrally coordinated geometry at Fe centers, and the strong hybridization between CNT C π* and Fe 3d orbitals induces discretization of the atomic charges on aromatic rings of CNTs, which facilitates O2 adsorption and electron transfer from carbon to O2, which enhances O2 activation. The O2 activation by the novel HA/Fe-CNT complex can be applied in the oxidative degradation of phenol red (PR) and bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, CAS Key Laboratory of Nuclear Radiation and Nuclear Energy Technology, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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30
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Dance I. Misconception of reductive elimination of H2, in the context of the mechanism of nitrogenase. Dalton Trans 2015; 44:9027-37. [DOI: 10.1039/c5dt00771b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Calculated atom partial charges reveal misconceptions of reductive elimination of H2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Dance
- School of Chemistry
- University of New South Wales
- Sydney 2052
- Australia
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31
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The role of X-ray spectroscopy in understanding the geometric and electronic structure of nitrogenase. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2014; 1853:1406-15. [PMID: 25486459 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2014.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Revised: 11/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
X-ray absorption (XAS) and X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) provide element specific probes of the geometric and electronic structures of metalloprotein active sites. As such, these methods have played an integral role in nitrogenase research beginning with the first EXAFS studies on nitrogenase in the late 1970s. Herein, we briefly explain the information that can be extracted from XAS and XES. We then highlight the recent applications of these methods in nitrogenase research. The influence of X-ray spectroscopy on our current understanding of the atomic structure and electronic structure of iron molybdenum cofactor (FeMoco) is emphasized. Contributions of X-ray spectroscopy to understanding substrate interactions and cluster biosynthesis are also discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Fe/S proteins: Analysis, structure, function, biogenesis and diseases.
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32
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Scott A, Pelmenschikov V, Guo Y, Yan L, Wang H, George SJ, Dapper CH, Newton WE, Yoda Y, Tanaka Y, Cramer SP. Structural characterization of CO-inhibited Mo-nitrogenase by combined application of nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy, extended X-ray absorption fine structure, and density functional theory: new insights into the effects of CO binding and the role of the interstitial atom. J Am Chem Soc 2014; 136:15942-54. [PMID: 25275608 PMCID: PMC4235365 DOI: 10.1021/ja505720m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The properties of CO-inhibited Azotobacter vinelandii (Av) Mo-nitrogenase (N2ase) have been examined by the combined application of nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS), extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), and density functional theory (DFT). Dramatic changes in the NRVS are seen under high-CO conditions, especially in a 188 cm(-1) mode associated with symmetric breathing of the central cage of the FeMo-cofactor. Similar changes are reproduced with the α-H195Q N2ase variant. In the frequency region above 450 cm(-1), additional features are seen that are assigned to Fe-CO bending and stretching modes (confirmed by (13)CO isotope shifts). The EXAFS for wild-type N2ase shows evidence for a significant cluster distortion under high-CO conditions, most dramatically in the splitting of the interaction between Mo and the shell of Fe atoms originally at 5.08 Å in the resting enzyme. A DFT model with both a terminal -CO and a partially reduced -CHO ligand bound to adjacent Fe sites is consistent with both earlier FT-IR experiments, and the present EXAFS and NRVS observations for the wild-type enzyme. Another DFT model with two terminal CO ligands on the adjacent Fe atoms yields Fe-CO bands consistent with the α-H195Q variant NRVS. The calculations also shed light on the vibrational "shake" modes of the interstitial atom inside the central cage, and their interaction with the Fe-CO modes. Implications for the CO and N2 reactivity of N2ase are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey
D. Scott
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | | | - Yisong Guo
- Department
of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Lifen Yan
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Hongxin Wang
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
- Physical
Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley
National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Simon J. George
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Christie H. Dapper
- Department
of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
& State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - William E. Newton
- Department
of Biochemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
& State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Yoshitaka Yoda
- Research
and Utilization Division, SPring-8/JASRI, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Tanaka
- SR
Materials Science Instrumentation Unit, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, 1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo, Hyogo 679-5148, Japan
| | - Stephen P. Cramer
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, California 95616, United States
- Physical
Biosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley
National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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33
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Rittle J, McCrory CL, Peters JC. A 10(6)-fold enhancement in N2-binding affinity of an Fe2(μ-H)2 core upon reduction to a mixed-valence Fe(II)Fe(I) state. J Am Chem Soc 2014; 136:13853-62. [PMID: 25184795 PMCID: PMC4183624 DOI: 10.1021/ja507217v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Transient hydride ligands bridging two or more iron centers purportedly accumulate on the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMoco) of nitrogenase, and their role in the reduction of N2 to NH3 is unknown. One role of these ligands may be to facilitate N2 coordination at an iron site of FeMoco. Herein, we consider this hypothesis and describe the preparation of a series of diiron complexes supported by two bridging hydride ligands. These compounds bind either one or two molecules of N2 depending on the redox state of the Fe2(μ-H)2 unit. An unusual example of a mixed-valent Fe(II)(μ-H)2Fe(I) is described that displays a 10(6)-fold enhancement of N2 binding affinity over its oxidized congener, quantified by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. Furthermore, these compounds show promise as functional models of nitrogenase as substantial amounts of NH3 are produced upon exposure to proton and electron equivalents. The Fe(μ-H)Fe(N2) sub-structure featured herein was previously unknown. This subunit may be relevant to consider in nitrogenases during turnover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Rittle
- Division
of Chemistry and
Chemical Engineering, California Institute
of Technology, 1200 East
California Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Charles
C. L. McCrory
- Division
of Chemistry and
Chemical Engineering, California Institute
of Technology, 1200 East
California Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Jonas C. Peters
- Division
of Chemistry and
Chemical Engineering, California Institute
of Technology, 1200 East
California Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
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Einsle O. Nitrogenase FeMo cofactor: an atomic structure in three simple steps. J Biol Inorg Chem 2014; 19:737-45. [DOI: 10.1007/s00775-014-1116-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Hoffman BM, Lukoyanov D, Yang ZY, Dean DR, Seefeldt LC. Mechanism of nitrogen fixation by nitrogenase: the next stage. Chem Rev 2014; 114:4041-62. [PMID: 24467365 PMCID: PMC4012840 DOI: 10.1021/cr400641x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 969] [Impact Index Per Article: 96.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Hoffman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University , 0300 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
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Dance I. The Stereochemistry and Dynamics of the Introduction of Hydrogen Atoms onto FeMo-co, the Active Site of Nitrogenase. Inorg Chem 2013; 52:13068-77. [DOI: 10.1021/ic401818k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ian Dance
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
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Fe-N2/CO complexes that model a possible role for the interstitial C atom of FeMo-cofactor (FeMoco). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:15898-903. [PMID: 24043796 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1310153110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We report here a series of four- and five-coordinate Fe model complexes that feature an axial tri(silyl)methyl ligand positioned trans to a substrate-binding site. This arrangement is used to crudely model a single-belt Fe site of the FeMo-cofactor that might bind N2 at a position trans to the interstitial C atom. Reduction of a trigonal pyramidal Fe(I) complex leads to uptake of N2 and subsequent functionalization furnishes an open-shell Fe-diazenido complex. A related series of five-coordinate Fe-CO complexes stable across three redox states is also described. Spectroscopic, crystallographic, and Density Functional Theory (DFT) studies of these complexes suggest that a decrease in the covalency of the Fe-C(alkyl) interaction occurs upon reduction and substrate binding. This leads to unusually long Fe-C(alkyl) bond distances that reflect an ionic Fe-C bond. The data presented are contextualized in support of a hypothesis wherein modulation of a belt Fe-C interaction in the FeMo-cofactor facilitates substrate binding and reduction.
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Mitra D, George SJ, Guo Y, Kamali S, Keable S, Peters JW, Pelmenschikov V, Case DA, Cramer SP. Characterization of [4Fe-4S] cluster vibrations and structure in nitrogenase Fe protein at three oxidation levels via combined NRVS, EXAFS, and DFT analyses. J Am Chem Soc 2013; 135:2530-43. [PMID: 23282058 DOI: 10.1021/ja307027n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogenase Fe protein (Av2) provides a rare opportunity to investigate a [4Fe-4S] cluster at three oxidation levels in the same protein environment. Here, we report the structural and vibrational changes of this cluster upon reduction using a combination of NRVS and EXAFS spectroscopies and DFT calculations. Key to this work is the synergy between these three techniques as each generates highly complementary information and their analytical methodologies are interdependent. Importantly, the spectroscopic samples contained no glassing agents. NRVS and DFT reveal a systematic 10-30 cm(-1) decrease in Fe-S stretching frequencies with each added electron. The "oxidized" [4Fe-4S](2+) state spectrum is consistent with and extends previous resonance Raman spectra. For the "reduced" [4Fe-4S](1+) state in Fe protein, and for any "all-ferrous" [4Fe-4S](0) cluster, these NRVS spectra are the first available vibrational data. NRVS simulations also allow estimation of the vibrational disorder for Fe-S and Fe-Fe distances, constraining the EXAFS analysis and allowing structural disorder to be estimated. For oxidized Av2, EXAFS and DFT indicate nearly equal Fe-Fe distances, while addition of one electron decreases the cluster symmetry. However, addition of the second electron to form the all-ferrous state induces significant structural change. EXAFS data recorded to k = 21 Å(-1) indicates a 1:1 ratio of Fe-Fe interactions at 2.56 Å and 2.75 Å, a result consistent with DFT. Broken symmetry (BS) DFT rationalizes the interplay between redox state and the Fe-S and Fe-Fe distances as predominantly spin-dependent behavior inherent to the [4Fe-4S] cluster and perturbed by the Av2 protein environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devrani Mitra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
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Cotelesage JJ, Pushie MJ, Grochulski P, Pickering IJ, George GN. Metalloprotein active site structure determination: Synergy between X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. J Inorg Biochem 2012; 115:127-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2012.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2012] [Revised: 06/21/2012] [Accepted: 06/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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