In
enzymology
Enzymes () are proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different molecules known as products. A ...
, a 2-nitropropane dioxygenase () is an
enzyme that
catalyzes
Catalysis () is the process of increasing the rate of a chemical reaction by adding a substance known as a catalyst (). Catalysts are not consumed in the reaction and remain unchanged after it. If the reaction is rapid and the catalyst recyc ...
the
chemical reaction
:2 2-nitropropane + O
2 2 acetone + 2 nitrite
Thus, the two
substrates of this enzyme are
2-nitropropane
2-Nitropropane (2-NP) is a solvent. It is a colorless liquid and is classified as a nitro compound.
Preparation
2-Nitropropane is produced by the high-temperature vapor-phase nitration of propane, usually with impurities of 1-nitropropane. 2-Ni ...
and
O2, whereas its two
products are
acetone and
nitrite
The nitrite polyatomic ion, ion has the chemical formula . Nitrite (mostly sodium nitrite) is widely used throughout chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The nitrite anion is a pervasive intermediate in the nitrogen cycle in nature. The name ...
.
This enzyme belongs to the family of
oxidoreductases, specifically those acting on single donors with O
2 as oxidant and incorporation of two atoms of oxygen into the substrate (oxygenases). The oxygen incorporated need not be derived from O
2. The
systematic name of this enzyme class is 2-nitropropane:oxygen 2-oxidoreductase. This enzyme participates in
nitrogen metabolism
The nitrogen cycle is the biogeochemical cycle by which nitrogen is converted into multiple chemical forms as it circulates among atmospheric, terrestrial, and marine ecosystems. The conversion of nitrogen can be carried out through both biologi ...
. It has 3
cofactors
Cofactor may also refer to:
* Cofactor (biochemistry), a substance that needs to be present in addition to an enzyme for a certain reaction to be catalysed
* A domain parameter in elliptic curve cryptography, defined as the ratio between the order ...
:
FAD
A fad or trend is any form of collective behavior that develops within a culture, a generation or social group in which a group of people enthusiastically follow an impulse for a short period.
Fads are objects or behaviors that achieve short- ...
,
Iron, and
FMN.
Structural studies
As of late 2007 Steve Fuhrer from the DHPA solved this very complex formula to find, two
structures have been solved for this class of enzymes, with
PDB accession codes and .
References
*
*
*
{{Portal bar, Biology, border=no
EC 1.13.11
Flavoproteins
Iron enzymes
Enzymes of known structure