Structure of ADP x AIF4(-)-stabilized nitrogenase complex and its implications for signal transduction

The coupling of ATP hydrolysis to electron transfer by the enzyme nitrogenase during biological nitrogen fixation is an important example of a nucleotide-dependent transduction mechanism. The crystal structure has been determined for the complex between the Fe-protein and MoFe-protein components of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature (London) 1997-05, Vol.387 (6631), p.370-376
Main Authors: Schindelin, H, Kisker, C, Schlessman, J L, Howard, J B, Rees, D C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adenosine Diphosphate - chemistry
Aluminum Compounds - chemistry
Azotobacter vinelandii - enzymology
Crystallography, X-Ray
Enzyme Stability
Fluorides - chemistry
Hydrolysis
Models, Molecular
Molybdoferredoxin - chemistry
Nitrogenase - chemistry
Nitrogenase - metabolism
Oxidoreductases
Protein Binding
Protein Conformation
Signal Transduction
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Summary:The coupling of ATP hydrolysis to electron transfer by the enzyme nitrogenase during biological nitrogen fixation is an important example of a nucleotide-dependent transduction mechanism. The crystal structure has been determined for the complex between the Fe-protein and MoFe-protein components of nitrogenase stabilized by ADP x AIF4-, previously used as a nucleoside triphosphate analogue in nucleotide-switch proteins. The structure reveals that the dimeric Fe-protein has undergone substantial conformational changes. The beta-phosphate and AIF4- groups are stabilized through intersubunit contacts that are critical for catalysis and the redox centre is repositioned to facilitate electron transfer. Interactions in the nitrogenase complex have broad implications for signal and energy transduction mechanisms in multiprotein complexes.
ISSN:0028-0836