Fontecilla-Camps Juan C, Amara Patricia, Cavazza Christine, Nicolet Yvain, Volbeda Anne
Laboratoire de Cristallographie et Cristallogenèse des Protéines, Institut de Biologie Structurale J.P. Ebel, CEA, CNRS, Université Joseph Fourier, 41 rue J. Horowitz, 38027 Grenoble Cedex 1, France.
Nature. 2009 Aug 13;460(7257):814-22. doi: 10.1038/nature08299.
Reactions involving H(2), N(2), CO, CO(2) and CH(4) are likely to have been central to the origin of life. This is indicated by the active-site structures of the enzymes involved, which are often reminiscent of minerals. Through the combined efforts of protein crystallography, various types of spectroscopy, theoretical calculations and model chemistry, it has been possible to put forward plausible mechanisms for gas-based metabolism by extant microorganisms. Although the reactions are based on metal centres, the protein matrix regulates reactivity and substrate and product trafficking through internal pathways, specific ligation and dielectricity.
涉及氢气、氮气、一氧化碳、二氧化碳和甲烷的反应可能在生命起源过程中起着核心作用。参与其中的酶的活性位点结构表明了这一点，这些结构常常让人联想到矿物质。通过蛋白质晶体学、各种光谱学、理论计算和模型化学的共同努力，已经有可能提出现存微生物基于气体的代谢的合理机制。尽管这些反应基于金属中心，但蛋白质基质通过内部途径、特定的连接和介电常数来调节反应活性以及底物和产物的运输。
