E. coli Nickel-Iron Hydrogenase 1 Catalyses Non-native Reduction of Flavins: Demonstration for Alkene Hydrogenation by Old Yellow Enzyme Ene-reductases.

A new activity for the [NiFe] uptake hydrogenase 1 of Escherichia coli (Hyd1) is presented. Direct reduction of biological flavin cofactors FMN and FAD is achieved using H 2 as a simple, completely atom-economical reductant. The robust nature of Hyd1 is exploited for flavin reduction across a broad range of temperatures (25-70 °C) and extended reaction times. The utility of this system as a simple, easy to implement FMNH 2 or FADH 2 regenerating system is then demonstrated by supplying reduced flavin to Old Yellow Enzyme 'ene-reductases' to support asymmetric alkene reductions with up to 100% conversion. Hyd1 turnover frequencies up to 20.4 min -1 and total turnover numbers up to 20,200 were recorded during flavin recycling.