Abstract
X-ray crystallographic study of the nitrogenase MoFe protein revealed electron density from an atom (denoted X) inside the active-site metal cluster, the [MoFe7S9:homocitrate] FeMo-cofactor. The electron density associated with X is consistent with a single N, O, or C atom. We now have tested whether X is an N or not by comparing the Q-band ENDOR and ESEEM signals from resting-state (S = 3/2) MoFe protein and NMF-extracted FeMo-co from bacteria grown with either 14N or 15N as the exclusive N source. All of the 14N or 15N signals associated with the protein are lost upon extraction of the FeMo-co. We interpret this as strong evidence that X is not an N.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 12804-12805 |
Number of pages | 2 |
Journal | Journal of the American Chemical Society |
Volume | 127 |
Issue number | 37 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 21 2005 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Catalysis
- Chemistry(all)
- Biochemistry
- Colloid and Surface Chemistry