Work

Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer in Biology: Results from Synergistic Studies in Natural and Model Systems

Year: 2009

Type: review

Abstract: Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) underpins energy conversion in biology. PCET may occur with the unidirectional or bidirectional transfer of a proton and electron and may proceed synchronously or asynchronously. To illustrate the role of PCET in biology, this review presents complementary biological and model systems that explore PCET in electron transfer (ET) through hydrogen bonds [azurin as compared to donor-acceptor (D-A) hydrogen-bonded networks], the activation of C-H bonds [alcohol dehydrogenase and soybean lipoxygenase (SLO) as compared to Fe(III) metal complexes], and the generation and transport of amino acid radicals [photosystem II (PSII) and ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) as compared to tyrosine-modified photoactive Re(I) and Ru(II) complexes]. In providing these comparisons, the fundamental principles of PCET in biology are illustrated in a tangible way.

Source: Annual Review of Biochemistry

DOI: 10.1146/annurev.biochem.78.080207.092132

Authors: Steven Y. Reece, Daniel G. Nocera

Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Metal-Catalyzed Oxygenation Mechanisms

Subfield: Inorganic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Award: Structure-Function Studies of Ribonucleotide Reductase