Citation: Quanliang Chen, Zhaohui Zhou. Research on the Active Site of Nitrogenase over Fifty Years[J]. University Chemistry, ;2024, 39(7): 287-293. doi: 10.3866/PKU.DXHX202310133 shu

Research on the Active Site of Nitrogenase over Fifty Years

Quanliang Chen ¹ ,
Zhaohui Zhou ²

1.
College of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China;
2.
State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, Fujian Province, China

Received Date: 31 October 2023
Revised Date: 1 February 2024

Nitrogenase is a catalyst used by nitrogen-fixing microorganisms to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia at ambient temperature and pressure. The structure of the active site in molybdenum nitrogenase has evolved from Fe₂S₂∙Mo₂O₂ to MoFe₇S₉C(R-Hhomocit)(cys)(his) (H₄homocit = homocitric acid, Hcys = cysteine, Hhis = histidine) through advancements in chemical modeling, spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations, especially for structural biology. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the important achievements in the study of the active site of nitrogenase from a chemical structure perspective over the past fifty years.
- Nitrogenase,
- MoFe-protein,
- FeMo-cofactor,
- Active site
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