A cytochrome c is the natural electron acceptor for nicotine oxidoreductase.

ABSTRACT: Nicotine oxidoreductase (NicA2), a member of the flavin-containing amine oxidase family, is of medical relevance as it shows potential as a therapeutic to aid cessation of smoking due to its ability to oxidize nicotine into a non-psychoactive metabolite. However, the use of NicA2 in this capacity is stymied by its dismal O₂-dependent activity. Unlike other enzymes in the amine oxidase family, NicA2 reacts very slowly with O₂, severely limiting its nicotine-degrading activity. Instead of using O₂ as an oxidant, we discovered that NicA2 donates electrons to a cytochrome c, which means that NicA2 is actually a dehydrogenase. This is surprising, as enzymes of the flavin-containing amine oxidase family were invariably thought to use O₂ as an electron

SUBMITTER: Dulchavsky M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7904663 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature