The three-dimensional structure of Bacillus subtilis ferrochelatase

5 The three-dimensional structure of Bacillus subtilis ferrochelatase 

Presently, only one three-dimensional structure has been determined for a ferrochelatase. The three-dimensional structure of the B. subtilis enzyme has been deter- 

3 Ferrochelatase a new iron sulfur center-containing enzyme 

The function of a [2Fe-2S] cluster in mammalian ferrochelatases remains an open 

The combined use of spectroscopy and protein engineering techniques provides a unique approach for the study of the mechanism of ferrochelatase and in the elucidation of the role of its intriguing [2Fe-2S] cluster. Mossbauer studies of kinetic intermediates and fluorimetric and resonance Raman studies of both mammalian and yeast (i.e. devoid of the [2Fe-2S] cluster) ferrochelatases, reacted with porphyrin or porphyrin analogs, should be undertaken. Determination of the three-dimensional structures of the complexes of ferrochelatase with substrate or inhibitors will also be of crucial importance. 

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