Communication
Hydrogen-Activating Enzymes: Activity Does Not Correlate with Oxygen Sensitivity†
†
We acknowledge Sébastien Dementin for help and fruitful discussions, funding from the ANR, and support from the Pôle de Compétitivité Capénergies.
Graphical Abstract
Surprisingly uninhibited: The inhibition of hydrogenases by oxygen is intensely studied because this is the main obstacle to using these enzymes in biofuel cells. The hydrogenase from Clostridium acetobutylicum (see structure) was found to react surprisingly slowly with O2. The inhibition mechanism was elucidated and the kinetics were quantitatively defined. This is a prerequisite for improving the enzyme further by genetic engineering and for assessing its potential in technological devices.
