Converting Cytochrome c into a Peroxidase‐Like Metalloenzyme by Molecular Design

Abstract

Even better than the real thing. Based on molecular design, an electron-transfer hemoprotein, cytochrome c, was converted into a peroxidase-like enzyme by introduction of a distal histidine into the heme pocket. The cytochrome c variants obtained, Tyr67His and Tyr67His/Met80Val (see figure), showed much higher peroxidase activities than wild-type cytochrome protein. More interestingly, the kcat/Km values of the new hemoproteins were higher than that of wild-type horseradish peroxidase.