Electrochemical investigations of the interconversions between catalytic and inhibited states of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans

Studies of the catalytic properties of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans by protein film voltammetry, under a H-2 atmosphere, reveal and establish a variety of interesting properties not observed or measured quantitatively with other techniques. The catalytic bias (inherent ability to oxidize hydrogen vs reduce protons) is quantified over a wide pH range: the enzyme is proficient at both H-2 oxidation (from pH > 6) and H-2 production (pH < 6). Hydrogen production is inhibited by H-2, but the effect is much smaller than observed for [NiFe]-hydrogenases from Allochromatium vinosum or Desulfovibrio fructosovorans. Under anaerobic conditions and positive potentials, the [FeFe]-hydrogenase is oxidized to an inactive form, inert toward reaction with CO and O-2, that rapidly reactivates upon one-electron reduction under 1 bar of H-2. The potential dependence of this interconversion shows that the oxidized inactive form exists in two pH-interconvertible states with pK(ox) = 5.9. Studies of the CO-inhibited enzyme under H-2 reveals a strong enhancement of the rate of activation by white light at -109 mV (monitoring H-2 oxidation) that is absent at low potential (-540 mV, monitoring H+ reduction), thus demonstrating photolability that is dependent upon the oxidation state.