The Diagnostic Substrate Bicyclohexane Reveals a Radical Mechanism for Bacterial Cytochrome P450 in Whole Cells

Abstract

On home ground: The reaction mechanisms of bacterial alkane-oxidizing cytochrome P450s were determined in their native environment using a novel diagnostic substrate probe, bicyclohexane, in whole cells and cell-free extracts (see picture). Purified P450cam also oxidizes bicyclohexane. Clear evidence for a substrate-based radical with a lifetime of 75–250 ps was obtained.