Proton Transfer in the Catalytic Cycle of [NiFe] Hydrogenases: Insight from Vibrational Spectroscopy.

ABSTRACT: Catalysis of H₂ production and oxidation reactions is critical in renewable energy systems based around H₂ as a clean fuel, but the present reliance on platinum-based catalysts is not sustainable. In nature, H₂ is oxidized at minimal overpotential and high turnover frequencies at [NiFe] catalytic sites in hydrogenase enzymes. Although an outline mechanism has been established for the [NiFe] hydrogenases involving heterolytic cleavage of H₂ followed by a first and then second transfer of a proton and electron away from the active site, details remain vague concerning how the proton transfers are facilitated by the protein environment close to the active site. Furthermore, although [NiFe] hydrogenases from different organisms or cellular environmen

SUBMITTER: Ash PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5387674 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature