In vivo activation of an [FeFe] hydrogenase using synthetic cofactors

Abstract

[FeFe] hydrogenases catalyze the reduction of protons, and oxidation of hydrogen gas, with remarkable efficiency. The reaction occurs at the H-cluster, which contains an organometallic [2Fe] subsite. The unique nature of the [2Fe] subsite makes it dependent on a specific set of maturation enzymes for its biosynthesis and incorporation into the apo-enzyme. Herein we report on how this can be circumvented, and the apo-enzyme activated in vivo by synthetic active site analogues taken up by the living cell.