A molecular switch and electronic circuit modulate catalase activity in catalase‐peroxidases

The catalase reaction of catalase‐peroxidases involves catalase‐specific features built into a peroxidase core. An arginine, 20 Å from the active‐site heme, acts as a molecular switch moving between two conformations, one that activates heme oxidation and one that activates oxoferryl heme reduction by H 2 O 2 , facilitating the catalatic pathway in a peroxidase. The influence of the arginine is imparted to the heme through its association with or dissociation from a tyrosinate that modulates reactivity through a Met‐Tyr‐Trp crosslinked adduct and a π electron interaction of the heme with the adduct Trp.