Redox Enzyme Cofactor Systems in Biotechnology

摘要

Oxidoreductase, i.e. redox, enzymes are key componets of biological electron transfer chains. The protein portion (apoenzyme) imparts substrate specificity; while the cofactor portion participates directly in the electron transfer process. The structure function relationships of redox enzyme systems is an area of high research interest, both in basic biochemistry as well as in biotechnology. This paper discusses some recent studies involving the attachment of flavin cofactors to solid carbon supports. This is part of a larger project that has the objective of (1) studying how different methods of cofactor attachment influence the rates and degree of electron transfer and (2) learning which methods of cofactor-support attachment are compatible with reconstitution of enzyme activity on addition of an oxidase apoenzyme to the immobilized cofactor. Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) was the main cofactor used in this study. The apoenzyme of glucose oxidase, which required FAD as cofactor, was used to test for reconstitution of enzyme activity. Keywords: Isoalloxazine