Hydrogenase enzymes: Recent structural studies and active site models

Recent developments in active site structure determination of the three types of hydrogenase enzymes are described. Aspects of recent studies using model complexes relevant to the structure and function of the enzymes are reviewed.

Graphical abstractProduction and utilization of hydrogen in nature is catalyzed by hydrogenase enzymes. The active site structures of the hdyrogenases contain carbon monoxide and cyanide bound to iron. These structures are unprecedented in biology, which has lead to intense efforts to generate small molecule model complexes.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide