[19] Fe-only hydrogenase from Thermotoga maritirria

Publisher Summary Hydrogenases catalyze the reversible oxidation of hydrogen gas (H2). The Fe-hydrogenases contain iron as the only metal and this is present in the form of both conventional and novel iron-sulfur dusters. This type of hydrogenase is found in anaerobic bacteria and in the hydrogenosomes of some unicellular, anaerobic eukaryotes. To date Fe-only hydrogenases have not been identified in archaea. This chapter focuses on the Fe-hydrogenase from the hyperthermophilic bacterium, Thermotoga maritima . This strictly anaerobic, hyperthermophilic bacterium grows optimally at 80 ° using sugars or peptides as a carbon and energy source. Herein are described the methods used to grow T. maritima and to purify and characterize its Fe-hydrogenase. So far, this is the only known hyperthermophilic example of this type of enzyme.