Investigations by Protein Film Electrochemistry of Alternative Reactions of Nickel-Containing Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenase

J Phys Chem B. 2015 Oct 29;119(43):13690-7. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b03098. Epub 2015 Jul 15.

Abstract

Protein film electrochemistry has been used to investigate reactions of highly active nickel-containing carbon monoxide dehydrogenases (CODHs). When attached to a pyrolytic graphite electrode, these enzymes behave as reversible electrocatalysts, displaying CO2 reduction or CO oxidation at minimal overpotential. The O2 sensitivity of CODH is suppressed by adding cyanide, a reversible inhibitor of CO oxidation, or by raising the electrode potential. Reduction of N2O, isoelectronic with CO2, is catalyzed by CODH, but the reaction is sluggish, despite a large overpotential, and results in inactivation. Production of H2 and formate under highly reducing conditions is consistent with calculations predicting that a nickel-hydrido species might be formed, but the very low rates suggest that such a species is not on the main catalytic pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldehyde Oxidoreductases / chemistry*
  • Aldehyde Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Biocatalysis
  • Electrochemical Techniques*
  • Electrodes
  • Graphite / chemistry
  • Graphite / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Multienzyme Complexes / chemistry*
  • Multienzyme Complexes / metabolism
  • Nickel / chemistry*
  • Nickel / metabolism
  • Oxygen / chemistry
  • Oxygen / metabolism
  • Thermoanaerobacterium / enzymology

Substances

  • Multienzyme Complexes
  • Graphite
  • Nickel
  • Aldehyde Oxidoreductases
  • carbon monoxide dehydrogenase
  • Oxygen