Abstract
In order to elucidate aspects of the mechanism of the hydrolytic enzyme urease, theoretical calculations were undertaken on a model of the active site, using density functional theory. The bridging oxygen donor that has been found in the crystal structures was determined to be a hydroxide ion. The initial coordination of urea at the active site occurs most likely through the urea oxygen to the nickel ion with the lowest coordination number. This coordination can be made without much gain in energy. The calculations also showed that weak coordination of one of the urea amine nitrogen atoms to the second nickel atom is energetically feasible. Furthermore, a proposed mechanism including a tetrahedral intermediate generated by hydrolytic attack on the urea carbon by the bridging hydroxide was modeled, and the tetrahedral intermediate was found to be energetically unfavorable relative to terminal coordination of the substrate (urea).
Original language | English |
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Article number | 364891 |
Journal | Bioinorganic Chemistry and Applications |
Volume | 2010 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2010 |
Bibliographical note
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.The record was previously connected to the following departments: Chemical Physics (S) (011001060)
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics