Substrate specificity and reaction mechanism of purified alkane hydroxylase from the hydrocarbonoclastic bacterium Alcanivorax borkumensis (AbAlkB)

Swe Htet Naing, Saba Parvez, Marilla Pender-Cudlip, John Taylor Groves, Rachel N. Austin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Scopus citations

Abstract

An alkane hydroxylase from the marine organism Alcanivorax borkumensis (AbAlkB) was purified. The purified protein retained high activity in an assay with purified rubredoxin (AlkG), purified maize ferredoxin reductase, NADPH, and selected substrates. The reaction mechanism of the purified protein was probed using the radical clock substrates bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane (norcarane), bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane (bicyclohexane), methylphenylcyclopropane and deuterated and non-deuterated cyclohexane. The distribution of products from the radical clock substrates supports the hypothesis that purified AbAlkB hydroxylates substrates by forming a substrate radical. Experiments with deuterated cyclohexane indicate that the rate-determining step has a significant CH bond breaking character. The products formed from a number of differently shaped and sized substrates were characterized to determine the active site constraints of this AlkB. AbAlkB can catalyze the hydroxylation of a large number of aromatic compounds and linear and cyclic alkanes. It does not catalyze the hydroxylation of alkanes with a chain length longer than 15 carbons, nor does it hydroxylate sterically hindered CH bonds.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)46-52
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Inorganic Biochemistry
Volume121
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biochemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry

Keywords

  • AlkB
  • Alkane hydroxylase
  • Alkane oxidation
  • Hydrocarbonoclastic

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Substrate specificity and reaction mechanism of purified alkane hydroxylase from the hydrocarbonoclastic bacterium Alcanivorax borkumensis (AbAlkB)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this