Benzylsuccinate synthase

Krieger CJ, W Roseboom, SPJ Albracht, AM Sporman (2001) A stable organic free radical in anaerobic benzylsuccinate synthase of Azoarcus sp. strain T.J Biol Chem TIC. 12924-12927. 

Leuthner B, C Leutwein, H Schulz, P Horth, W Haehnel, E Schiltz, H Schagger, J Heider (1998) Biochemical and genetic characterisation of benzylsuccinate synthase from Thauera aromatica a new glycyl-radical catalysing the first step in anaerobic toluene degradation. Mol Microbiol 28 515-628. 

Beller HR, AM Spormann (1998) Analysis of the novel benzylsuccinate synthase reaction for anaerobic toluene activation based on structural studies of the product. J Bacteriol 180 5454-5457. 

Benzylsuccinate synthase has an amino acid sequence homologous to that of pyruvate formate lyase (p. 799 -801), contains a glycyl radical, and is activated in a manner similar to activation of pyruvate formate lyase. Propose a mechanism for formation of benzylsuccinate. See Krieger et al.383... 

Beller H. and Edwards E. (2000) Anaerobic toluene activation by benzylsuccinate synthase in a highly enriched methano-genic culture. A/)/)/. Environ. Microbiol 66(12), 5503-5505. 

Several enzymes utilize thiyl radicals for substrate conversion. In the ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) class III, pyruvate formate lyase and benzylsuccinate synthase, cysteine thiyl radicals are generated via hydrogen transfer from cysteine to glycine radicals (Reaction (3.25)) [3, 24-27, 48-52]. 

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