Electron Transfer in Nitrogenase

Chem Rev. 2020 Jun 24;120(12):5158-5193. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00663. Epub 2020 Jan 30.

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / chemistry
  • Adenosine Triphosphate / metabolism
  • Biocatalysis
  • Electrochemical Techniques
  • Electron Transport
  • Hydrolysis
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nitrogenase / chemistry
  • Nitrogenase / metabolism*
  • Photochemical Processes

Substances

  • Adenosine Triphosphate
  • Nitrogenase