Iron-molybdenum Cofactor Of Nitrogenase Research Articles

Recent developments in the homogeneous reduction of dinitrogen by molybdenum and iron

The reduction of gaseous nitrogen is a challenge for industrial, biological and synthetic chemists. Major goals include understanding the formation of ammonia for agriculture, and forming N-C and N-Si bonds for the synthesis of fine chemicals. The iron-molybdenum active site of the enzyme nitrogenase has inspired chemists to explore iron and molybdenum complexes in transformations related to N2 reduction. This area of research has gained significant momentum, and the past two years have witnessed a number of significant advances in synthetic Fe-N2 and Mo-N2 chemistry. Furthermore, the identities of all atoms in the iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase have finally been elucidated, and the discovery of a carbide has generated new questions and targets for coordination chemists. This Perspective summarizes the recent work on iron and molydenum complexes, and highlights the opportunities for continued research.

Selective Syntheses of Iron−Imide−Sulfide Cubanes, Including a Partial Representation of the Fe−S−X Environment in the FeMo Cofactor

The dinuclear precursors Fe(2)(N(t)Bu)(2)Cl(2)(NH(2)(t)Bu)(2), [Fe(2)(N(t)Bu)(S)Cl(4)](2-), and Fe(2)(NH(t)Bu)(2)(S)(N{SiMe(3)}(2))(2) allowed the selective syntheses of the cubane clusters [Fe(4)(N(t)Bu)(n)(S)(4-n)Cl(4)](z) with [n, z] = [3, 1-], [2, 2-], [1, 2-]. Weak-field iron-sulfur clusters with heteroleptic, nitrogen-containing cores are of interest with respect to observed or conjectured environments in the iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase. In this context, the present iron-imide-sulfide clusters constitute a new class of compounds for study, with the Fe(4)NS(3) core of the [1, 2-] cluster affording the first synthetic representation of the corresponding heteroligated Fe(4)S(3)X subunit in the cofactor.

Hydrogen production by nitrogenase as a potential crop rotation benefit

Hydrogen production by nitrogenase as a potential crop rotation benefit

Biosynthesis of the Iron-Molybdenum Cofactor of Nitrogenase

The iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co), located at the active site of the molybdenum nitrogenase, is one of the most complex metal cofactors known to date. During the past several years, an intensive effort has been made to purify the proteins involved in FeMo-co synthesis and incorporation into nitrogenase. This effort is starting to provide insights into the structures of the FeMo-co biosynthetic intermediates and into the biochemical details of FeMo-co synthesis.

Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure and Nuclear Resonance Vibrational Spectroscopy Reveal that NifB-co, a FeMo-co Precursor, Comprises a 6Fe Core with an Interstitial Light Atom

NifB-co, an Fe-S cluster produced by the enzyme NifB, is an intermediate on the biosynthetic pathway to the iron molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co) of nitrogenase. We have used Fe K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy together with (57)Fe nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) to probe the structure of NifB-co while bound to the NifX protein from Azotobacter vinelandii. The spectra have been interpreted in part by comparison with data for the completed FeMo-co attached to the NafY carrier protein: the NafY:FeMo-co complex. EXAFS analysis of the NifX:NifB-co complex yields an average Fe-S distance of 2.26 A and average Fe-Fe distances of 2.66 and 3.74 A. Search profile analyses reveal the presence of a single Fe-X (X = C, N, or O) interaction at 2.04 A, compared to a 2.00 A Fe-X interaction found in the NafY:FeMo-co EXAFS. This suggests that the interstitial light atom (X) proposed to be present in FeMo-co has already inserted at the NifB-co stage of biosynthesis. The NRVS exhibits strong bands from Fe-S stretching modes peaking around 270, 315, 385, and 408 cm(-1). Additional intensity at approximately 185-200 cm(-1) is interpreted as a set of cluster "breathing" modes similar to those seen for the FeMo-cofactor. The strength and location of these modes also suggest that the FeMo-co interstitial light atom seen in the crystal structure is already in place in NifB-co. Both the EXAFS and NRVS data for NifX:NifB-co are best simulated using a Fe 6S 9X trigonal prism structure analogous to the 6Fe core of FeMo-co, although a 7Fe structure made by capping one trigonal 3S terminus with Fe cannot be ruled out. The results are consistent with the conclusion that the interstitial light atom is already present at an early stage in FeMo-co biosynthesis prior to the incorporation of Mo and R-homocitrate.

Evidence for nifU and nifS Participation in the Biosynthesis of the Iron-Molybdenum Cofactor of Nitrogenase

The nifU and nifS genes encode the components of a cellular machinery dedicated to the assembly of [2Fe-2S] and [4Fe-4S] clusters required for growth under nitrogen-fixing conditions. The NifU and NifS proteins are involved in the production of active forms of the nitrogenase component proteins, NifH and NifDK. Although NifH contains a [4Fe-4S] cluster, the NifDK component carries two complex metalloclusters, the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co) and the [8Fe-7S] P-cluster. FeMo-co, located at the active site of NifDK, is composed of 7 iron, 9 sulfur, 1 molybdenum, 1 homocitrate, and 1 unidentified light atom. To investigate whether NifUS are required for FeMo-co biosynthesis and to understand at what level(s) they might participate in this process, we analyzed the effect of nifU and nifS mutations on the formation of active NifB protein and on the accumulation of NifB-co, an isolatable intermediate of the FeMo-co biosynthetic pathway synthesized by the product of the nifB gene. The nifU and nifS genes were required to accumulate NifB-co in a nifN mutant background. This result clearly demonstrates the participation of NifUS in NifB-co synthesis and suggests a specific role of NifUS as the major provider of [Fe-S] clusters that serve as metabolic substrates for the biosynthesis of FeMo-co. Surprisingly, although nifB expression was attenuated in nifUS mutants, the assembly of the [Fe-S] clusters of NifB was compensated by other non-nif machinery for the assembly of [Fe-S] clusters, indicating that NifUS are not essential to synthesize active NifB.

Hydroxide-Promoted Core Conversions of Molybdenum−Iron−Sulfur Edge-Bridged Double Cubanes: Oxygen-Ligated Topological PN Clusters

The occurrence of a heteroatom X (C, N, or O) in the MoFe7S9X core of the iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase has encouraged synthetic attempts to prepare high-nuclearity M-Fe-S-X clusters containing such atoms. We have previously shown that reaction of the edge-bridged double cubane [(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S8(PEt3)4] (1) with nucleophiles HQ- affords the clusters [(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S8Q(QH)2](3-) (Q = S, Se) in which HQ- is a terminal ligand and Q(2-) is a mu2-bridging atom in the core. Reactions with OH- used as such or oxygen nucleophiles generated in acetonitrile from (Bu3Sn)2O or Me3SnOH and fluoride were examined. Reaction of 1 with Et4NOH in acetonitrile/water generates [(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S9(OH)2]3- (3), isolated as [(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S9(OH)(OC(=NH)Me)(H2O)](3-) and shown to have the [Mo2Fe6(mu2-S)2(mu3-S)6(mu6-S)] core topology very similar to the P(N) cluster of nitrogenase. The reaction system 1/Et4NOH in acetonitrile/methanol yields the P(N)-type cluster [(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S9(OMe)2(H2O)](3-) (5). The system 1/Me3SnOH/F- affords the oxo-bridged double P(N)-type cluster {[(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S9(mu2-O)]2}5- (7), convertible to the oxidized cluster {[(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S9(mu2-O)]2}4- (6), which is prepared independently from [(Tp)2Mo2Fe6S9F2(H2O)](3-)/(Bu3Sn)2O. In the preparations of 3-5 and 7, hydroxide liberates sulfide from 1 leading to the formation of P(N)-type clusters. Unlike reactions with HQ-, no oxygen atoms are integrated into the core structures of the products. However, the half-dimer composition [Mo2Fe6S9O] relates to the MoFe7S9 constitution of the putative native cluster with X = O. (Tp = hydrotris(pyrazolyl) borate(1-)).

Quantitative geometric descriptions of the belt iron atoms of the iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase and synthetic iron(II) model complexes.

Six of the seven iron atoms in the iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase display an unusual geometry, which is distorted from the tetrahedral geometry that is most common in iron-sulfur clusters. This distortion pulls the iron along one C3 axis of the tetrahedron toward a trigonal pyramid. The trigonal pyramidal coordination geometry is rare in four-coordinate transition metal complexes. In order to document this geometry in a systematic fashion in iron(II) chemistry, we have synthesized a range of four-coordinate iron(II) complexes that vary from tetrahedral to trigonal pyramidal. Continuous shape measures are used for a quantitative comparison of the stereochemistry of the Fe atoms in the iron-molybdenum cofactor with those of the presently and previously reported model complexes, as well as with those in polynuclear iron-sulfur compounds. This understanding of the iron coordination geometry is expected to assist in the design of synthetic analogues for intermediates in the nitrogenase catalytic cycle.

Purification of a NifEN Protein Complex That Contains Bound Molybdenum and a FeMo-Co Precursor from an Azotobacter vinelandii ΔnifHDK Strain

The NifEN protein complex serves as a molecular scaffold where some of the steps for the assembly of the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co) of nitrogenase take place. A His-tagged version of the NifEN complex has been previously purified and shown to carry two identical [4Fe-4S] clusters of unknown function and a [Fe-S]-containing FeMo-co precursor. We have improved the purification of the his-NifEN protein from a DeltanifHDK strain of Azotobacter vinelandii and have found that the amounts of iron and molybdenum within NifEN were significantly higher than those reported previously. In an in vitro FeMo-co synthesis system with purified components, the NifEN protein served as a source of both molybdenum and a [Fe-S]-containing FeMo-co precursor, showing significant FeMo-co synthesis activity in the absence of externally added molybdate. Thus, the NifEN scaffold protein, purified from DeltanifHDK background, contained the Nif-Bco-derived Fe-S cluster and molybdenum, although these FeMo-co constituents were present at different levels within the protein complex.

NifX and NifEN exchange NifB cofactor and the VK‐cluster, a newly isolated intermediate of the iron‐molybdenum cofactor biosynthetic pathway

The iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase (FeMo-co) is synthesized in a multistep process catalysed by several Nif proteins and is finally inserted into a pre-synthesized apo-dinitrogenase to generate mature dinitrogenase protein. The NifEN complex serves as scaffold for some steps of this synthesis, while NifX belongs to a family of small proteins that bind either FeMo-co precursors or FeMo-co during cofactor synthesis. In this work, the binding of FeMo-co precursors and their transfer between purified Azotobacter vinelandii NifX and NifEN proteins was studied to shed light on the role of NifX on FeMo-co synthesis. Purified NifX binds NifB cofactor (NifB-co), a precursor to FeMo-co, with high affinity and is able to transfer it to the NifEN complex. In addition, NifEN and NifX exchange another [Fe-S] cluster that serves as a FeMo-co precursor, and we have designated it as the VK-cluster. In contrast to NifB-co, the VK-cluster is electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR)-active in the reduced and the oxidized states. The NifX/VK-cluster complex is unable to support in vitro FeMo-co synthesis in the absence of NifEN because further processing of the VK-cluster into FeMo-co requires the simultaneous activities of NifEN and NifH. Our in vitro studies suggest that the role of NifX in vivo is to serve as transient reservoir of FeMo-co precursors and thus help control their flux during FeMo-co synthesis.

Syntheses, Spectroscopies and Structures of Molybdenum(VI) Complexes with Homocitrate

Initial investigations into the possible role of homocitric acid in iron molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co) of nitrogenase lead us to isolate and characterize two tetrameric molybdate(VI) species. The complexes K2(NH4)2[(MoO2)4O3(R,S-Hhomocit)2].6H2O (1) and K5[(MoO2)4O3(R,S-Hhomocit)2]Cl.5H2O (2) (homocitric acid = H4homocit, C7H10O7) are prepared from the reactions of acyclic homocitric acid and molybdates, which represent the first synthetic structural examples of molybdenum homocitrate complexes. The homocitrate ligand trapped by tetranuclear molybdate coordinates to the molybdenum(VI) atom through alpha-alkoxy and alpha-, beta-carboxy groups. The physical properties, structural parameters, and their possible biological relevances are discussed.

Identification of gene products from the Azotobacter vinelandii nifBfdxNnifOQ operon.

The Azotobacter vinelandii nifBfdxNnifOQ operon is required for synthesis of the nitrogenase iron-molybdenum cofactor. To further characterize the roles of its gene products, specific antibodies against NifB and NifO were generated, and the NifB, NifO and NifQ gene products were visualized and identified in nitrogen-fixing A. vinelandii cell extracts by a combination of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of radiolabelled extracts and immunological detection methods. The three proteins showed apparent pI and M(r) values similar to those expected from sequence data, except for NifO, which showed an apparent M(r) of ca. 23 kDa (vs. 16 kDa expected).

Syntheses, crystal structures and biological relevance of glycolato and S-lactato molybdates*1

Glycolato and S-lactato complexes containing the dioxomolybdenum(VI) moiety have been synthesized for studies on the role of the α-hydroxycarboxylato anion in the iron molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase. The ligands in these complexes, vis K2[MoO2(glyc)2] · H2O (H2glyc=glycolic acid, C2H4O3) (1) and {Na2[MoO2(S-lact)2]}3 · 13H2O (H2lact=lactic acid, C3H6O3) (2) chelate through their α-alkoxyl and α-carboxyl oxygen atoms. In contrast, octanuclear K6[(MoO2)8(glyc)6(Hglyc)2] · 10H2O (3) formed by the reduction of the glycolato complex (1), features three different ligand binding modes: (i) non-bridging and bridging bidentate coordination of α-alkoxyl and α-carboxyl groups, and (ii) bidentate bridging using α-carboxyl group, leaving the α-alkoxyl group free. The octanuclear skeleton shows strong metal–metal interactions. The coordination modes in (1) and (2) mimic that of homocitrate to the iron molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co) of nitrogenase. The bidentate coordination of α-alkoxyl and α-carboxyl groups shows that bond of α-carboxyl group to Mo is less susceptible to the oxidation state of molybdenum compared with the Mo-α-alkoxyl bond. This is supported by the dinuclear coordination of α-carboxyl group with free α-alkoxyl group in glycolato molybdate(V) (3).

An atomic level model for the interactions of molybdenum nitrogenase with carbon monoxide, acetylene, and ethylene.

A combination of density functional theory and molecular mechanics calculations has been used to study the possible interactions of CO, C(2)H(2), and C(2)H(4) with the central Fe and terminal Mo sites of the iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase. The most favorable binding mode for CO on the central section of the FeMoco appears to be end-on to a single Fe and results in a change from high to low spin for the ligating Fe atom. If a coordination site for CO is available on the Mo, this becomes the preferred CO binding site. Calculated nu(CO) infrared frequencies are compared with the experimental values given in the literature. C(2)H(2) binds weakly in a side-on orientation to a single Fe site; addition of a single H(+)/e(-) couple to the substrate results in spontaneous migration of the resulting -CH=CH(2) group from Fe to a central S atom of the cofactor. Further reduction liberates C(2)H(4) or alternatively can give an S=CHCH(3) intermediate, which then goes on to produce C(2)H(6). A model for C(2)H(2) reduction by nitrogenase is proposed, based on the results of the calculations and the extensive literature on this process.

Formation and Insertion of the Nitrogenase Iron‐Molybdenum Cofactor

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Syntheses, crystal structures and biological relevance of glycolato and S-lactato molybdates

Glycolato and S-lactato complexes containing the dioxomolybdenum(VI) moiety have been synthesized for studies on the role of the α-hydroxycarboxylato anion in the iron molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase. The ligands in these complexes, vis K 2[MoO 2(glyc) 2] · H 2O (H 2glyc=glycolic acid, C 2H 4O 3) ( 1) and {Na 2[MoO 2( S-lact) 2]} 3 · 13H 2O (H 2lact=lactic acid, C 3H 6O 3) ( 2) chelate through their α-alkoxyl and α-carboxyl oxygen atoms. In contrast, octanuclear K 6[(MoO 2) 8(glyc) 6(Hglyc) 2] · 10H 2O ( 3) formed by the reduction of the glycolato complex ( 1), features three different ligand binding modes: (i) non-bridging and bridging bidentate coordination of α-alkoxyl and α-carboxyl groups, and (ii) bidentate bridging using α-carboxyl group, leaving the α-alkoxyl group free. The octanuclear skeleton shows strong metal–metal interactions. The coordination modes in ( 1) and ( 2) mimic that of homocitrate to the iron molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co) of nitrogenase. The bidentate coordination of α-alkoxyl and α-carboxyl groups shows that bond of α-carboxyl group to Mo is less susceptible to the oxidation state of molybdenum compared with the Mo-α-alkoxyl bond. This is supported by the dinuclear coordination of α-carboxyl group with free α-alkoxyl group in glycolato molybdate(V) ( 3).

Electron-transfer chemistry of the iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase: delocalized and localized reduced states of FeMoco which allow binding of carbon monoxide to iron and molybdenum.

The electron-transfer chemistry of the isolated iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase (FeMoco) has been studied by electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methods. Two interconverting forms of the cofactor arise from a redox-linked ligand isomerism at the terminal iron atom; this is attributed to rotamerism of an anionic N-methyl formamide ligand bound at this site. FeMoco in its EPR-silent oxidised state is shown to undergo three successive one-electron transfer steps. We argue that the first and second redox processes are associated with electron-transfer delocalised over the iron-sulfur core of the cofactor, whilst the third irreversible process is localised on molybdenum. This is strongly reinforced by spectroelectrochemical studies under (12)CO and (13)CO which reveal two independent carbon monoxide binding sites that are specifically associated with the second (iron core) and third (molybdenum) electron-transfer processes and which give rise to terminal nu((12)CO) bands at 1885 and 1920 cm(-1) respectively. Moreover, in parallel with earlier studies on the enzyme system, it is shown that at low CO concentration, carbon monoxide binds to the cofactor in bridging modes, with nu(CO) bands at 1835 and 1808 cm(-1) that are interconverted by single-electron transfer. Importantly we show that the contentious overall 2e difference in the assignment of the metal oxidation levels in the resting state of the enzyme-bound cofactor, arising from analysis of (57)Fe ENDOR and Mössbauer data, can be resolved in the light of the electron-transfer chemistry of the isolated cofactor described herein.

An atomic-level mechanism for molybdenum nitrogenase. Part 1. Reduction of dinitrogen.

The properties of the Fe and Mo sites of the iron-molybdenum cofactor of nitrogenase with respect to binding and activation of N(2) have been studied by molecular mechanics calculations on the local protein environment and by density functional theory (DFT) calculations on subsections of the cofactor. The DFT calculations indicate that the homocitrate ligand of the cofactor can become monodentate on reduction, allowing N(2) to bind at Mo. In addition, the neighboring Fe atom plays a crucial role in N(2) reduction by stabilizing the initial reduced N(2) species and by facilitating cleavage of the N-N bond. The various possible isomers for partially reduced N(2) intermediates have been compared by DFT, and a detailed model for the reduction of N(2) is developed based on these results, together with chemical precedents and the available biochemical data for nitrogenase.

An atomic-level mechanism for molybdenum nitrogenase. Part 2. Proton reduction, inhibition of dinitrogen reduction by dihydrogen, and the HD formation reaction.

Quantum calculations have been used to examine the energetics of the reactions of diazene and isodiazene with H(2) and the properties of the Fe and Mo sites of the nitrogenase iron-molybdenum cofactor with respect to the binding of H and H(2). The results have been used to extend the model for N(2) reduction by nitrogenase given in the preceding paper to describe the formation of HD from D(2). The proposed mechanism for HD formation invokes a combination of two well-established chemical reactions, namely, competitive protonation of metal N(2) species at either the metal or at N(2), followed by scrambling of D(2) at a metal hydride. The model is evaluated against the available biochemical data for the nitrogenase HD formation reaction and extended to account for H(2) inhibition of N(2) reduction and the reduction of H(+) in the absence of other substrates.

Accumulation of 99Mo-containing Iron-Molybdenum Cofactor Precursors of Nitrogenase on NifNE, NifH, and NifX ofAzotobacter vinelandii

The biosynthesis of the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co) of nitrogenase was investigated using the purified in vitro FeMo-co synthesis system and 99Mo. The purified system involves the addition of all components that are known to be required for FeMo-co synthesis in their purified forms. Here, we report the accumulation of a 99Mo-containing FeMo-co precursor on NifNE. Apart from NifNE, NifH and NifX also accumulate 99Mo label. We present evidence that suggests NifH may serve as the entry point for molybdenum incorporation into the FeMo-co biosynthetic pathway. We also present evidence suggesting a role for NifX in specifying the organic acid moiety of FeMo-co.