Highly active hydrogenase from Desulfovibro vulgaris - useful e.g. for prodn. of hydrogen gas

Summary

Hydrogenase from Desulfovibro vulgaris has a mol.wt. of =50,000; an iron content of =11-20 Fe atoms/mol.; a content of =12 acid-labile S atoms/mol.; a Km value for methylviolet in the H2 prodn. test with Na dithionite of 0.20mM and a Vm value of 4600 units/mg; A Km value for benzyl violet in the hydrogen uptake test of 3mM with a Vm of 50,000 units/mg; and a low sensitivity to oxygen. The hydrogenase produced from Desulfovibro vulgaris is obtd. in high yield and is highly active. The enzyme can be used e.g. for the prodn. of H2 gas e.g. by coupling the enzyme with photosynthesis systems which catalyse the photolysis of water to protons, reduction equivs. and oxygen; by coupling the enzyme to photochemical systems which catalyse the oxidn. of organic cpds.; or by coupling the enzyme to (bio)chemical systems which oxidise organic substances.