The enigma of coproporphyrinogen oxidase: How does this unusual enzyme carry out oxidative decarboxylations to afford vinyl groups?

A new mechanism is proposed to explain how coproporphyrinogen oxidase performs two oxidative decarboxylations on a porphyrinogen substrate without the aid of cofactors or metal ions in the presence of molecular oxygen.

A new mechanism is proposed to explain how coproporphyrinogen oxidase performs two oxidative decarboxylations on a porphyrinogen substrate without the aid of cofactors or metal ions in the presence of molecular oxygen.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide