Active [FeFe] hydrogenases can be obtained by expressing the unmaturated enzyme in Escherichia coli followed by incubation with a synthetic precursor of the binuclear [2Fe] subcluster, namely: [NEt4]2[Fe2(adt)(CO)4(CN)2] (adt = [S-CH2-NH-CH2-S](2-)). The binuclear subsite Fe2(adt)(CO)3(CN)2 is attached through a bridging cysteine side chain to a [4Fe-4S] subcluster already present in the unmaturated enzyme thus yielding the intact native "H-cluster". We present FTIR electrochemical studies of the [FeFe] hydrogenase from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, CrHydA1, maturated with the precursor of the native cofactor [Fe2(adt)(CO)4(CN)2](2-) as well as a non-natural variant [Fe2(pdt)(CO)4(CN)2](2-) in which the bridging amine functionality is replaced by CH2. The obtained active enzyme CrHydA1(adt) shows the same redox states in the respective potential range as observed for the native system (E(ox/red) = -400 mV, E(red/sred) = -470 mV). For the Hox → Hred transition the reducing equivalent is stored on the binuclear part, ([4Fe-4S](2+)Fe(II)Fe(I) → [4Fe-4S](2+)Fe(I)Fe(I)), while the Hred → Hsred transition is characterized by a reduction of the [4Fe-4S] part of the H-cluster ([4Fe-4S](2+)Fe(I)Fe(I) → [4Fe-4S](+)Fe(I)Fe(I)). A similar transition is reported here for the CO inhibited state of the H-cluster: ([4Fe-4S](2+)Fe(I)Fe(II)CO → [4Fe-4S](+)Fe(I)Fe(II)CO). An FTIR electrochemical study of the inactive variant with the pdt ligand, CrHydA1(pdt), identified two redox states H(pdt)-ox and H(pdt)-"red". Both EPR and FTIR spectra of H(pdt)-ox are virtually identical to those of the H(adt)-ox and the native Hox state. The H(pdt)-"red" state is also characterized by a reduced [4Fe-4S] subcluster. In contrast to CrHydA1(adt), the H(pdt)-ox state of CrHydA1(pdt) is stable up to rather high potentials (+200 mV). This study demonstrates the distinct redox coupling between the two parts of the H-cluster and confirms that the [4Fe-4S]H subsite is also redox active and as such an integral part of the H-cluster taking part in the catalytic cycle.

[FeFe]-hydrogenases are to date the only enzymes for which it has been demonstrated that the native inorganic binuclear cofactor of the active site Fe2(adt)(CO)3(CN)2 (adt = azadithiolate = [S-CH2-NH-CH2-S](2-)) can be synthesized on the laboratory bench and subsequently inserted into the unmaturated enzyme to yield fully functional holo-enzyme (Berggren, G. et al. (2013) Nature 499, 66-70; Esselborn, J. et al. (2013) Nat. Chem. Biol. 9, 607-610). In the current study, we exploit this procedure to introduce non-native cofactors into the enzyme. Mimics of the binuclear subcluster with a modified bridging dithiolate ligand (thiodithiolate, N-methylazadithiolate, dimethyl-azadithiolate) and three variants containing only one CN(-) ligand were inserted into the active site of the enzyme. We investigated the activity of these variants for hydrogen oxidation as well as proton reduction and their structural accommodation within the active site was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Interestingly, the monocyanide variant with the azadithiolate bridge showed ∼50% of the native enzyme activity. This would suggest that the CN(-) ligands are not essential for catalytic activity, but rather serve to anchor the binuclear subsite inside the protein pocket through hydrogen bonding. The inserted artificial cofactors with a propanedithiolate and an N-methylazadithiolate bridge as well as their monocyanide variants also showed residual activity. However, these activities were less than 1% of the native enzyme. Our findings indicate that even small changes in the dithiolate bridge of the binuclear subsite lead to a rather strong decrease of the catalytic activity. We conclude that both the Brønsted base function and the conformational flexibility of the native azadithiolate amine moiety are essential for the high catalytic activity of the native enzyme.

Two model compounds of the active site of [NiFe]-hydrogenases with an unusual {S(2)Ni(μ-S)(μ-CO)Fe(CO)(2)S}-coordination environment around the metals are reported. The neutral compound [Ni(xbsms)(μ-CO)(μ-S)Fe(CO)(2)('S')], (1) (H(2)xbsms = 1,2-bis(4-mercapto-3,3-dimethyl-2-thiabutyl)benzene) is converted to [1H][BF(4)] by reversible protonation using HBF(4)·Et(2)O. The protonation takes place at the terminal thiolate sulfur atom that is coordinated to nickel. Catalytic intermediates with a protonated terminal cysteinate were suggested for the native protein but have not yet been confirmed experimentally. [1H][BF(4)] is the first dinuclear [NiFe] model compound for such a species. Both complexes have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, NMR-, FTIR-, and (57)Fe-Mössbauer spectroscopy as well as by electronic absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopy. The experimental results clearly show that the protonation has a significant impact on the electronic structure of the iron center, although it takes place at the nickel site. DFT calculations support the interpretation of the spectroscopic data and indicate the presence of a bonding interaction between the metal ions, which is relevant for the enzyme as well. Electrochemical experiments show that both 1 and [1H][BF(4)] are active for electrocatalytic proton reduction in aprotic solvents.

White hybrid light‐emitting diodes (WHLEDs) are considered as a solid approach toward environmentally sustainable lighting sources that meet the “Green Photonics” requirements. Here, WHLEDs with protein‐based down‐converting coatings, i.e., Bio‐WHLEDs, are demonstrated and exhibit worthy white color quality, luminous efficiency, and stability values. The coatings feature a multilayered cascade‐like architecture with thicknesses of 1–3 mm. This limits the efficiency due to the low optical transmittance. Thus, submillimeter coatings, where the location of the proteins is well‐defined, are highly desired. It is in this context where the thrust of this work sets in. Here, a straightforward way to design microstructured single‐layer coatings, in which the proteins are placed at our command by using 3D printing, is presented. Based on comprehensive spectroscopic and rheological investigations, the optimization of the matrix and the plotting to prepare different micropatterns, i.e., lines, open‐grids, and closed‐grids, is rationalized. The latter are applied to prepare Bio‐WHLEDs with ≈5‐fold enhancement of the luminous efficiency compared to the reference devices with a cascade‐like coating, without losing stability and color quality. As such, this work shows a new route to exploit proteins for optoelectronics, setting a new avenue of research into the emerging field of Bio‐WHLEDs.

A two-study investigation was designed to examine the role of job type (i.e. fit of political skill to work context) as a contextual moderator of the political skill-job performance relationship. Specifically, it was hypothesised that political skill operates most effectively in enterprising job contexts, and thus is most predictive of job performance in such contexts, but political skill would demonstrate no relationship with job performance in job contexts that did not emphasise interpersonal interaction and effectiveness. In Study 1, enterprising job demands interacted with political skill to affect job performance. That is, political skill positively and significantly predicted job performance in enterprising job contexts, as hypothesised. Study 2 selected one specific job context (i.e. insurance sales) high in enterprising job demands, and hypothesised that political skill would significantly predict objective measures of insurance sales (i.e. sales volume, performance-based income, performance-based commission rate, and performance-based status). The results demonstrated significant predictive effects of political skill (i.e. beyond age, sex, education level, tenure on the job, and experience in sales) on all four measures of sales performance.Contributions and implications of this research, strengths and limitations, and directions for future study are discussed.