Lecture
MacBio Seminar: Metalloenzymes: Molecular-Level Understanding and Applications for Daily Living
- Date
- Wednesday 22 July 2026
- Time
- Location
-
Gorlaeus Building
Einsteinweg 55
2333 CC Leiden - Room
- CM.3.23
Abstract
Metalloenzymes are ubiquitous in nature. About 30% of all enzymes contain a metal center in their active site that is essential for the enzyme activity. A wide range of biophysical tools is available to study these metal centers in both resting states and under turn-over conditions. The talk will provide an overview of work performed over the last 25 years in our group. The key enzyme in the formation of methane by methanogens or the oxidation by anaerobic methane oxidizers is the enzyme methyl-coenzyme M reductase. Methane production by methanogens in the rumen of cows are the root cause of the high carbon footprint of the dairy and meat industry.
Knowledge of the reaction mechanism and three-dimensional structure of methyl-coenzyme M reductase led to the development of the inhibitor Bovaer. Isoprene synthesis in pathogens, causing for example malaria, tuberculosis and enteric infections, use a different pathway than that found in humans. The characterization of two metalloenzymes in this pathway is the starting point for the development of anti-infective drugs.