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Cytochrome cd1 nitrite reductase is a haem-containing enzyme responsible for the reduction of nitrite into NO, a key step in the anaerobic respiratory process of denitrification. The active site of cytochrome cd1 contains the unique d1 haem cofactor, from which NO must be released. In general, reduced haems bind NO tightly relative to oxidized haems. In the present paper, we present experimental evidence that the reduced d1 haem of cytochrome cd1 from Paracoccus pantotrophus releases NO rapidly (k=65-200 s(-1)); this result suggests that NO release is the rate-limiting step of the catalytic cycle (turnover number=72 s(-1)). We also demonstrate, using a complex of the d1 haem and apomyoglobin, that the rapid dissociation of NO is largely controlled by the d1 haem cofactor itself. We present a reaction mechanism proposed to be applicable to all cytochromes cd1 and conclude that the d1 haem has evolved to have low affinity for NO, as compared with other ferrous haems.

Original publication

DOI

10.1042/BJ20101615

Type

Journal article

Journal

Biochem J

Publication Date

01/04/2011

Volume

435

Pages

217 - 225

Keywords

Apoproteins, Bacterial Proteins, Biocatalysis, Cytochromes, Denitrification, Heme, Kinetics, Models, Molecular, Myoglobin, Nitric Oxide, Nitrite Reductases, Oxidation-Reduction, Paracoccus pantotrophus, Photolysis