Mechanisms for Methane and Ammonia Oxidation by Particulate Methane Monooxygenase.

ABSTRACT: Particulate MMO (pMMO) catalyzes the oxidation of methane to methanol and also ammonia to hydroxylamine. Experimental characterization of the active site has been very difficult partly because the enzyme is membrane-bound. However, recently, there has been major progress mainly through the use of cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM). Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and X-ray spectroscopy have also been employed. Surprisingly, the active site has only one copper. There are two histidine ligands and one asparagine ligand, and the active site is surrounded by phenyl alanines but no charged amino acids in the close surrounding. The present study is the first quantum chemical study using a model of that active site (Cu_D). Low barrier mechanisms have been found, where an impor

SUBMITTER: Siegbahn PEM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11194816 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature