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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Light-driven Enzymatic Decarboxylation
Published on: May 22, 2016
A molecular switch and electronic circuit modulate catalase activity in catalase-peroxidases
Xavier Carpena1, Ben Wiseman, Taweewat Deemagarn
1Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB R3T 2N2, Canada.
Abstract:
The catalase reaction of catalase-peroxidases involves catalase-specific features built into a peroxidase core. An arginine, 20 A from the active-site heme, acts as a molecular switch moving between two conformations, one that activates heme oxidation and one that activates oxoferryl heme reduction by H(2)O(2), facilitating the catalatic pathway in a peroxidase. The influence of the arginine is imparted to the heme through its association with or dissociation from a tyrosinate that modulates reactivity through a Met-Tyr-Trp crosslinked adduct and a pi electron interaction of the heme with the adduct Trp.
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