The structure of the hyponitrite species in a heme Fe-Cu binuclear center

Abstract

NO laughing matter: The enzymatic production of laughing gas (N 2O) from two molecules of NO requires the formation of the N-N bond and the subsequent cleavage of the N-OH bond. Resonance Raman spectroscopic studies have now provided evidence for the formation of the key intermediate, the hyponitrite species (see the optimized molecular structure), in the heme a3 Fe-CuB binuclear center of ba3- oxidoreductase from Thermus thermophilus. (Figure Presented)