How algae produce hydrogen—news from the photosynthetic hydrogenase

摘要

Green algae are the only known eukaryotes capable of oxygenic photosynthesis which are equippedwith a hydrogen metabolism. Hydrogen production is light-dependent, since the [FeFe] hydrogenasesare coupled to the photosynthetic electron transport chain via ferredoxin. Algal [FeFe] hydrogenasesare one of the most active biocatalysts for the evolution of hydrogen. Therefore, special interest exists inthe biophysical characterization and biotechnological usage of these [Fe-S] enzymes. This review tracesthe discovery of this interesting class of proteins. Recent findings allow insight into the electronicstructure and configuration of the [FeFe] hydrogenase active site (H-cluster). Emphasis is placed onnovel discoveries of the hydrogenase interaction with its natural electron donor ferredoxin and themechanism of enzyme inactivation through oxygen.