A Refined Model for [Fe3S4]0 Clusters in Proteins
This work was supported by MURST (ex 40 %) and by the European Union through the Large Scale Facility Parabio (ERBFMGECT950033) and the HCM Network (ERBCHRXCT040626). We are grateful to Prof. S. Aono for the use of the expression system of the B. schlegelii ferredoxin.
Abstract
A “merry-go-round” of iron valences is seen in an [Fe3S4]0 cluster with cysteine ligands. This phenomena is revealed by the observation of hyperfine-shifted 1H NMR signals from the coordinated cysteine units, and the disappearance of these signals upon protonation of the cluster at low pH values. The proton binds to each of the three μ-bridging sulfides for a fraction of time (see scheme). The protonation of one μ-S causes the two iron atoms bridged by that μ-S to form a mixed-valence pair and the exchange of the proton from one μ-S to another causes a change in the iron valences in the cluster.