Methane monooxygenase insertion

The activation of dioxygen for the monooxygenation of saturated hydrocarbons by the methane monooxygenase enzyme systems (MMO hydroxylase/reductase) represents an almost unique biochemical oxygenase, especially for the transformation of methane to methanol. The basic process involves the insertion of an oxygen atom into the C-H bond of the hydrocarbon via the concerted reduction of O2 by the reductase cofactor (equation 120). 

Some similarities can be perceived between Gif-reactions and the processes catalyzed by methane monooxygenase. The insertion of sulfur into unactivated C-H bonds occurs in Gif-systems, modeling penicillin cyclase and biotin synthase ... 

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