Chemical model studies on the mechanism of dioxygen reduction and NO-inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Cytochrome c oxidase (CcO), the terminal enzyme in the respiratory chain, catalyzes the 4e- reduction of O_2 to H_2O with high energy efficiency to supply the energy for life. This project is intended to probe the possible mechanisms of O_2-reduction in CcO as well as its reactivity with nitric oxide (NO) through chemical models. Using our delicate designed synthetic models, we have clarified the plausible roles of the cross-linked His-Tyr motif as observed in the active site of CcO ; we have generated and spectroscopically characterized important elusive intermediates species involved in the catalytic cycles of O_2-reduction as well as in the N-N bond formation of N2O. The spectroscopic investigation of those models has contributed further valuable insights into the mechanisms of O_2-reduction in CcO; the results obtained may lend merit suggestions for future design of molecular catalysts for O_2-reduction and NOx removing.