Bifurcating electron transfer flavoproteins supply highly-reducing electrons to drive demanding reactions such as reduction of dinitrogen, based on the modest but abundant electron donor NADH. We have cloned and overexpressed the electron transfer flavoprotein heterodimer (EtfAB) associated with nitrogen fixation in <i>Rhodopseudomonas palustris</i>. We find that this Etf undergoes photochemical reactions on a time scale of minutes to hours. Optically-monitored time courses indicate extensive reduction of the flavins and hint at covalent modification. Site-directed mutagenesis and mass spectrometry address the nature of the reactions and transient absorption spectroscopy probes the underlying mechanism.

Photochemical events in an electron transfer flavoprotein that supports nitrogen fixation

256th National Meeting (2018)

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