In this project, we aim to study catalytic intermediates in two metal dependent oxidoreductases that both utilize dioxygen (O2) to catalyze reactions essential to various human pathogens. To capture intermediates, we want to employ a novel technique where we perform in situ enzyme activation with O2 gas at room temperature and use time resolved X-ray crystallography coupled with X-ray spectroscopy at an X-ray free electron laser. Using this approach, we will obtain detailed information about changes in the geometry and in the electronic structure of the metal site, and therefore, we will gain further mechanistic understanding of these important enzymes with the long-term goal to open up ways for novel antimicrobial treatments.
UC PI:
Jan Kern
Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
France PI:
Hugo Lebrette
Laboratoire de Microbiologie et Génétique Moléculaires – Centre de Biologie Intégrative, CNRS / Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier