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Nitrate assimilation in autotrophs provides most of the reduced nitrogen on earth. In eukaryotes, reduction of nitrate to nitrite is catalyzed by the molybdenum-containing NAD(P)H:nitrate reductase (NR; EC 1.7.1.1-3). In addition to the molybdenum center, NR contains iron-heme and flavin adenine dinucleotide as redox cofactors involved in an internal electron transport chain from NAD(P)H to nitrate. Recombinant, catalytically active Pichia angusta nitrate-reducing, molybdenum-containing fragment (NR-Mo) was expressed in P. pastoris and purified. Crystal structures for NR-Mo were determined at 1.7 and 2.6 Å. These structures revealed a unique slot for binding nitrate in the active site and identified key Arg and Trp residues potentially involved in nitrate binding. Dimeric NR-Mo is similar in overall structure to sulfite oxidases, with significant differences in the active site. Sulfate bound in the active site caused conformational changes, as compared with the unbound enzyme. Four ordered water molecules located in close proximity to Mo define a nitrate binding site, a penta-coordinated reaction intermediate, and product release. Because yeast NAD(P)H:NR is representative of the family of eukaryotic NR, we propose a general mechanism for nitrate reduction catalysis

The crystal structure of the bromoperoxidase A2 from Streptomyces aureofaciens (ATCC 10762) has been determined by isomorphous replacement and refined to 2.05 A resolution with an R-value of 18.4%. The enzyme catalyzes the bromination of organic compounds in the presence of bromide and peroxide. The structure confirms the absence of cofactors such as metal ions or haem groups and shows the general topology of the alpha/beta hydrolase fold. The active centre is at the end of a deep pocket and includes a catalytic triad of Ser 98, Asp 228 and His 257. The active centre is connected by a narrow tunnel to a second pocket on the enzyme surface.

cis-Biphenyl-2,3-dihydrodiol-2,3-dehydrogenase (BphB) is involved in the aerobic biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The crystal structure of the NAD+-enzyme complex was determined by molecular replacement and refined to an R-value of 17.9% at 2.0 A. As a member of the short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) family, the overall protein fold and positioning of the catalytic triad in BphB are very similar to those observed in other SDR enzymes, although small differences occur in the cofactor binding site. Modeling studies indicate that the substrate is bound in a deep hydrophobic cleft close to the nicotinamide moiety of the NAD+ cofactor. These studies further suggest that Asn143 is a key determinant of substrate specificity. A two-step reaction mechanism is proposed for cis-dihydrodiol dehydrogenases.

From mycelial cultures of Oudemansiella mucida a crystalline optically active antibiotic, oudemansin (2), has been isolated; its structure is closely related to strobilurin A (1). The relative configuration of oudemansin have been determined by X-ray analysis. The antibiotic exhibits strong antifungal properties and inhibits respiration in fungi, cells of the ascitic form of EHRLICH carcinoma, and rat liver mitochondria. prove that it is different from mucidin. In the UV spectrum a maximum at 245 (loge 4.48) is observed, the IR spectrum in KBr disc is shown in Fig. 1. Structure ElucidationThe molecular formula C,-,H,209 points out a close relationship of oudemansin to strobilurin A (1). Like the latter oudemansin contains a methyl /3-rnethoxyacrylate system, which gives rise to signals in the "C nmr spectrum at S 51.6, 62.1, 113.1, 161.5, and 170.2 ppm". The 1H nmr indicates, Dedication: This paper is dedicated to Dr. FR]TZ LIPhtANN on occasion of his 80th birthday.