Hydrogen-evolving and proton-pumping mechanisms of the group IV [NiFe]-hydrogenase

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06521
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 43020:Structural biochemistry-related
• Research Institution: Ibaraki University
• Principal Investigator: Shomura Yasuhito 茨城大学, 理工学研究科(工学野), 准教授 (50423900)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 水素合成酵素

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Hydrogenases are enzymes that catalyze a reversible hydrogen-evolving reaction, and their enzymatic properties might be applied to the electrode catalyst of the fuel cell and the catalyst for hydrogen synthesis in the artificial photosynthesis system. In this project, we have succeeded in the construction of a genetic modified bacterium that allows us to purify the target protein in a high yield and purity. With using the purified protein, the electron microscopic images have been obtained.

Free Research Field

構造生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

今回研究対象とした水素合成酵素は酸素に弱い膜タンパク質複合体であり、かつ複雑な金属クラスターをもつため大腸菌などの大量発現系によって調製することができない。本研究では、このような高難度タンパク質の解析を可能にするための技術開発を行うことに成功したが、この技術は燃料電池の電極触媒や人工光合成における水素合成触媒作製への応用が期待される。