Open AccessMechanistic insights into energy conservation by flavin-based electron bifurcation
Author(s) -
Carolyn E. Lubner,
David P. Jennings,
David W. Mulder,
Gerrit J. Schut,
Oleg A. Zadvornyy,
John P. Hoben,
Monika TokminaLukaszewska,
Luke Berry,
Diep M.N. Nguyen,
Gina L. Lipscomb,
Brian Bothner,
Anne K. Jones,
AnneFrances Miller,
Paul W. King,
Michael W. W. Adams,
John W. Peters
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
nature chemical biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.412
H-Index - 216
eISSN - 1552-4469
pISSN - 1552-4450
DOI - 10.1038/nchembio.2348
Subject(s) - exergonic reaction , flavin group , electron transfer , chemistry , electron flow , chemical physics , electron transport chain , semiquinone , electron , enzyme catalysis , redox , photochemistry , physics , enzyme , catalysis , biochemistry , quantum mechanics , organic chemistry
The recently realized biochemical phenomenon of energy conservation through electron bifurcation provides biology with an elegant means to maximize utilization of metabolic energy. The mechanism of coordinated coupling of exergonic and endergonic oxidation-reduction reactions by a single enzyme complex has been elucidated through optical and paramagnetic spectroscopic studies revealing unprecedented features. Pairs of electrons are bifurcated over more than 1 volt of electrochemical potential by generating a low-potential, highly energetic, unstable flavin semiquinone and directing electron flow to an iron-sulfur cluster with a highly negative potential to overcome the barrier of the endergonic half reaction. The unprecedented range of thermodynamic driving force that is generated by flavin-based electron bifurcation accounts for unique chemical reactions that are catalyzed by these enzymes.
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