Structure and function of bacterial nitric oxide reductases: nitric oxide reductase, anaerobic enzymes

The crystal structures of bacterial nitric oxide reductases (NOR) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Geobacillus stearothermophilus were reported. The structural characteristics of these enzymes, especially at the catalytic site and on the pathway that catalytic protons are delivered, are compared, and the corresponding regions of aerobic and micro-aerobic cytochrome oxidases, O(2) reducing enzymes, which are evolutionarily related to NOR are discussed. On the basis of these structural comparisons, a mechanism for the reduction of NO to produce N(2)O by NOR, and the possible molecular evolution of the proton pumping ability of the respiratory enzymes is discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: 17th European Bioenergetics Conference (EBEC 2012).