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The role of a P-cluster in the nitrogenase atpase reaction

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Abstract

Structural data on the nitrogenase complex of Azotobacter vinelandii, Av1·(Av2)2, stabilized by MgADP·AlF −4 and, in particular, the structure and properties of a P-cluster involved in the nitrogenase ATPase reaction, were analyzed. The ATP-binding site and all nitrogenase metal clusters are arranged in one plane, the distances between the closest partners being 14–15 Å. The ATP-binding site in the Fe-protein, which decreases the half-reduction potential (E m) of the [4Fe-4S]-cluster in Av2 to −0.43 V, does not affect the potentials of the P-cluster and Fe-Mo cofactor (FeMoco). Amino acids 74–95 in the β-subunit of Av1 “envelop” the P-cluster in Av1; therefore, the phosphate intermediate of the ATPase reaction of nitrogenase occurs apparently in the direct contact with the P-cluster. By increasing the acceptor properties of the P-cluster, this intermediate may favor the electron transfer from the Fe-protein to the P-cluster, thus bringing it into the super-reduced state.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of the Problems of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142432, Chernogolovka, Moscow Region, Russian Federation

    L. A. Syrtsova, I. A. Tukhvatulin, N. S. Goryachev & N. I. Shkondina

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  1. L. A. Syrtsova
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  2. I. A. Tukhvatulin
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  3. N. S. Goryachev
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  4. N. I. Shkondina
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Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 729–735, May, 2006.

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Syrtsova, L.A., Tukhvatulin, I.A., Goryachev, N.S. et al. The role of a P-cluster in the nitrogenase atpase reaction. Russ Chem Bull 55, 755–761 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11172-006-0328-6

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