X-ray structure analysis on key enzymes involved in the anaerobic degradation of hydrocarbons

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Ulrich Ermler
• Subject Area: Structural Biology
• Term: from 2009 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 71697849

Protein structure analysis represents an essential link between the ecophysiological and the chemical aspects of the SPP1319 program. According to the concept of the SPP our group is supplied with purified proteins from biochemists of the program in order to initiate an X-ray structure analysis. In the first funding period we worked on benzyl-succinyl-CoA thiolase, acetophenone carboxylase, benzoyl-CoA reductase, benzoyl-CoA epoxidase and methyl-coenzyme M reductase. With the latter three enzymes (or enzyme fragments) a successful structure analysis was performed. In the new funding period we plan to work on succinyl-CoA(R) benzylsuccinate CoA transferase, benzyl-succinyl-CoA thiolase, acetone carboxylase, acetophenone carboxylase, benzoyl-CoA reductase, p-cresol methylhydrolase and methyl sulfide dependent methyltransferase.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1319: Biological Transformations without Oxygen: From the Molecular to the Global Scale