Application of high pressure laser flash photolysis in studies on selected hemoprotein reactions

This article focuses on the application of high pressure laser flash photolysis for studies on selected hemoprotein reactions with the objective to establish details of the underlying reaction mechanisms. In this context, particular attention is given to the reactions of small molecules such as dioxygen, carbon monoxide, and nitric oxide with selected hemoproteins (hemoglobin, myoglobin, neuroglobin and cytochrome P450cam), as well as to photo-induced electron transfer reactions occurring in hemoproteins (particularly in various types of cytochromes). Mechanistic conclusions based on the interpretation of the obtained activation volumes are discussed in this account.