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  • Structural Analysis of a Nitrogenase Iron Protein from Methanosarcina acetivorans : Implications for CO 2 Capture by a Surface-Exposed [Fe 4 S 4 ] Cluster
Title: Structural Analysis of a Nitrogenase Iron Protein from Methanosarcina acetivorans : Implications for CO 2 Capture by a Surface-Exposed [Fe 4 S 4 ] Cluster
ABSTRACT Nitrogenase iron (Fe) proteins reduce CO 2 to CO and/or hydrocarbons under ambient conditions. Here, we report a 2.4-Å crystal structure of the Fe protein from Methanosarcina acetivorans ( Ma NifH), which is generated in the presence of a reductant, dithionite, and an alternative CO 2 source, bicarbonate. Structural analysis of this methanogen Fe protein species suggests that CO 2 is possibly captured in an unactivated, linear conformation near the [Fe 4 S 4 ] cluster of Ma NifH by a conserved arginine (Arg) pair in a concerted and, possibly, asymmetric manner. Density functional theory calculations and mutational analyses provide further support for the capture of CO 2 on Ma NifH while suggesting a possible role of Arg in the initial coordination of CO 2 via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. These results provide a useful framework for further mechanistic investigations of CO 2 activation by a surface-exposed [Fe 4 S 4 ] cluster, which may facilitate future development of FeS catalysts for ambient conversion of CO 2 into valuable chemical commodities. IMPORTANCE This work reports the crystal structure of a previously uncharacterized Fe protein from a methanogenic organism, which provides important insights into the structural properties of the less-characterized, yet highly interesting archaeal nitrogenase enzymes. Moreover, the structure-derived implications for CO 2 capture by a surface-exposed [Fe 4 S 4 ] cluster point to the possibility of developing novel strategies for CO 2 sequestration while providing the initial insights into the unique mechanism of FeS-based CO 2 activation.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1651398
PAR ID:
10144927
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
mBio
Volume:
10
Issue:
4
ISSN:
2150-7511
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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