Photoinduced Electron Transfer Informs on Pathway Coupling in Flavin-Based Electron Bifurcation.

ABSTRACT: Flavin-based electron bifurcation (FBEB) is an enzymatic mechanism that generates extremely high-energy electrons to drive unfavorable chemical reactions. It is utilized by the NADH-dependent ferredoxin:NADP⁺-oxidoreductase (Nfn) enzyme in hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus to bifurcate electrons from NADPH into the coupled low-potential (endergonic) and high-potential (exergonic) pathways. This process enables P. furiosus to live in harsh and uninviting environments. Despite its biological importance, the mechanisms used by Nfn to facilitate exceptional directional control over short-lived, high-energy electrons and to prevent undesired transfer, particularly along the low-potential pathway, are still not well understood. To elucidate how the protein environment

SUBMITTER: Wiley SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12921514 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature