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HD Formation by Nitrogenase: A Probe for N2 Reduction Intermediates

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Molybdenum Chemistry of Biological Significance

Abstract

Nitrogenase is a complex of two separately purifiable proteins, the molybdenum-iron protein [MoFe] and the iron protein [Fe].1,2 In addition to catalyzing the reduction of N2 to ammonia, nitro genase has ATP-hydrolyzing activity,3 ATP-dependent H2-evolution activity,4 and supports a reaction between D2 and protons (from H2O) to form HD.5 In the absence of other substrates, all the reductant consumed is used to reduce protons to H2. When N2 is added as a substrate, an apparent maximum of 75% of the electrons reduce N2 while the remainder still reduce protons.6

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Charles F. Kettering Research Laboratory, 150 East South College Street, Yellow Springs, Ohio, 45387, USA

    Barbara K. Burgess, Scot Wherland, Edward I. Stiefel & William E. Newton

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  1. Barbara K. Burgess
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  2. Scot Wherland
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  3. Edward I. Stiefel
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  4. William E. Newton
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Charles F. Kettering Research Laboratory, Yellow Springs, Ohio, 45387, USA

    William E. Newton

  2. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560, Japan

    Sei Otsuka

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© 1980 Plenum Press, New York

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Burgess, B.K., Wherland, S., Stiefel, E.I., Newton, W.E. (1980). HD Formation by Nitrogenase: A Probe for N2 Reduction Intermediates. In: Newton, W.E., Otsuka, S. (eds) Molybdenum Chemistry of Biological Significance. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9149-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9149-8_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4615-9151-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-9149-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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