Fine-structural and chemical analyses on inner and outer sheath of the cyanobacteriumGloeothece sp. PCC 6909

Cells of the unicellular cyanobacteriumGloeothece sp. PCC 6909 are surrounded by an inner (enclosing 1–2 cells) and an outer (enclosing cell groups) sheath. Using conventional Epon-embedding in combination with ruthenium-red staining, the inner and outer sheaths appeared similar and displayed multiple bands of electron-dense subunits. However, embedding in Nanoplast resin to avoid shrinkage led to the detection of two distinct zones (inner and outer zone) each with several distinct layers. The zone delimited by the electron-dense thick inner sheath layer, and the zone enclosed by the thin electron-dense outer sheath layer, are composed of a homogeneous material of little electron-contrast. Whereas the outer zone appears to be of even contrast, the inner zone is characterized by a distinct electron-transparent layer. Element distribution analysis revealed that the electron-transparent layer contained relatively large amounts of sulfur, carbon, and oxygen but only little nitrogen.Inner and outer sheath fractions were isolated by differential mechanical cell breakage and centrifugation. The outer sheath fraction was less hydrated than the inner one. The two fractions differed little in their contents of uronic acids, carbohydrate and protein, although the outer sheath fraction contained less sulfate. A soluble polysaccharide with a chemical composition similar to that of inner and outer sheath fractions was also obtained from the culture supernatant.     

Role of histidine in ligand binding ability of hemoglobin gene

The atomic and electronic structures of heme complexes with His, Gly, and Cys residues (Heme-His, Heme-Gly, and Heme-Cys) in the fifth coordination position of the Fe atom and with oxygen and nitrogen oxide molecules in the sixth Fe position were studied by the semiempirical quantum-chemical method PM3. A comparative analysis of internuclear distances showed that the strength of chemical bonding between the ligand molecules (oxygen and nitrogen oxide) is greater for Heme-Cys than for Heme-His and Heme-Gly complexes. Consequently, the strengthening of the chemical bond of the oxygen (or nitrogen oxide) molecule with Heme-Cys substantially weakens the chemical bond in the ligand molecule. The Mulliken population analysis showed that the electronic density of ligand (oxygen or nitrogen oxide) p-orbitals is transferred to the d-orbitals of the Fe atom, whose charge, calculated according to the Mulliken analysis, formally becomes negative. In the Heme-His complex with oxygen, this charge is substantially greater than in the complex with NO, and the oxygen molecule becomes polarized. No oxygen polarization is observed in the Heme-Cys complex, and the electron density (judging from the change in the Fe charge) is transferred to the coordinated sulfur atom. This is also characteristic of Heme-Cys complexes with nitrogen oxide. An analysis of charges on the atoms indicates that the character of chemical bonding of the oxygen molecule in Heme-Cys and Heme-Gly complexes is similar and basically differs from that in the case of the Heme-His complex. The English version of the paper: Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 2004, vol. 30, no. 2; see also http://www.maik.ru.     

Coordination between manganese and nitrogen within the ligands in the manganese complexes facilitates the reconstitution of the water-oxidizing complex in manganese-depleted photosystem II preparations

The water-oxidizing complex (WOC) within photosystem II (PSII) can be reconstituted with synthetic manganese complexes by a process called photoactivation; however, the key factors affecting the efficiency of synthetic manganese complexes in reconstitution of electron transport and oxygen evolution activity in manganese-depleted PSII remain unclear. In the present study, four complexes with different manganese coordination environments were used to reconstitute the WOC, and an interesting relationship was found between the coordination environment of the manganese atom in the complexes and their efficiency in restoring electron transport and oxygen evolution. If Mn(II) is coordinated to nitrogen atoms within the ligand, it can restore significant rates of electron transport and oxygen evolution; however, if the manganese atom is coordinated only to oxygen atoms instead of nitrogen atoms, it has no capability to restore electron transport and oxygen evolution. So, our results demonstrate that the capability of manganese complexes to reconstitute the WOC is mainly determined by the coordination between nitrogen atoms from ligands and the manganese atom. It is suggested from our results that the ligation between the nitrogen atom and the manganese atom within the manganese complex facilitates the photoligation of the manganese atom to histidyl residues on the apo-protein in manganese-depleted PSII during photoactivation.     

Inorganic sulfur oxidizing system in green sulfur bacteria

Green sulfur bacteria use various reduced sulfur compounds such as sulfide, elemental sulfur, and thiosulfate as electron donors for photoautotrophic growth. This article briefly summarizes what is known about the inorganic sulfur oxidizing systems of these bacteria with emphasis on the biochemical aspects. Enzymes that oxidize sulfide in green sulfur bacteria are membrane-bound sulfide-quinone oxidoreductase, periplasmic (sometimes membrane-bound) flavocytochrome c sulfide dehydrogenase, and monomeric flavocytochrome c (SoxF). Some green sulfur bacteria oxidize thiosulfate by the multienzyme system called either the TOMES (thiosulfate oxidizing multi-enzyme system) or Sox (sulfur oxidizing system) composed of the three periplasmic proteins: SoxB, SoxYZ, and SoxAXK with a soluble small molecule cytochrome c as the electron acceptor. The oxidation of sulfide and thiosulfate by these enzymes in vitro is assumed to yield two electrons and result in the transfer of a sulfur atom to persulfides, which are subsequently transformed to elemental sulfur. The elemental sulfur is temporarily stored in the form of globules attached to the extracellular surface of the outer membranes. The oxidation pathway of elemental sulfur to sulfate is currently unclear, although the participation of several proteins including those of the dissimilatory sulfite reductase system etc. is suggested from comparative genomic analyses.     

Oxygen and CO2 Exchange and Acid-Base Regulation in the Avian Embryo

The avian embryo exchanges the oxygen and carbon dioxide withthe ambient air by diffusion. The respiratory organ is the chorioallantois,endowed with a rich circulation. Between ambient air and chorioallantoiccapillary blood are interposed the porous shell fibrous shellmembranes, and the chorioendothelium which compose the diffusionbarrier. The air cell is formed between the two shell membranesin the blunt end of the egg. The diffusion barrier is dividedinto an outer barrier (shell plus outer membrane) and an innerbarrier (inner membrane plus chorioendothelium and capillaryblood). The resistance to gas diffusion (the reciprocal of thediffusive conductance) in the outer barrier is almost fixedthroughout incubation while that in the inner barrier decreasesas the embryo develops. Because of the fixed outer barrier conductance,the embryo is obliged to take up oxygen under hypoxic conditionsagainst increasing metabolism with development and encountersa relative respiratory acidosis. In connection with the diffusivehypoventilation caused by the fixed outer barrier conductancethe respiratory factors of the allantoic circulation changeprogressively with development to moderate the restraint ofgas exchange through the shell. Blood oxygen capacity and hemoglobinincrease with development in association with an increase inerythrocyte count and hematocrit value. In addition, a progressiveleftward shift of the oxygen dissociation curve occurs. Theincreases in the allantoic blood flow and chorioallantoic capillaryvolume contribute to the increasing conductance of the innerbarrier. Furthermore regulation of acid base balance is inferredin the developing embryo.     

Application of mass and energy balance regularities in fermentation. Reprinted from Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Vol. XX, No. 10, Pages 1595-1621 (1978)

Material and energy balances for fermentation processes are developed based on the facts that the heat of reaction per electron transferred to oxygen for a wide variety of organic molecules, the number of available electrons per carbon atom in biomass, and the weight fraction carbon in biomass are relatively constant. Mass-energy balance equations are developed which relate the biomass energetic yield coefficient to sets of variables which may be determined experimentally. Organic substrate consumption, biomass production, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, heat evolution, and nitrogen consumption are considered as measured variables. Application of the balances using direct and indirect methods of yield coefficient estimation is illustrated using experimental results from the literature. Product formation is included in the balance equations and the effect of product formation on biomass yield estimates is examined. Application of mass-energy balances in the optimal operation of continuous single-cell protein production facilities is examined, and the variation of optimal operating conditions with changes in yield are illustrated for methanol as organic substrate.     

The Role of Histidine in the Ligand-Bonding Capacity of the Hemoglobin Gene

The atomic and electronic structures of heme complexes with His, Gly, and Cys residues (Heme–His, Heme–Gly, and Heme–Cys) in the fifth coordination position of the Fe atom and with oxygen and nitrogen oxide molecules in the sixth Fe position were studied by the semiempirical quantum-chemical method PM3. A comparative analysis of internuclear distances showed that the strength of chemical bonding between the ligand molecules (oxygen and nitrogen oxide) is greater for Heme–Cys than for Heme–His and Heme–Gly complexes. Consequently, the strengthening of the chemical bond of the oxygen (or nitrogen oxide) molecule with Heme–Cys substantially weakens the chemical bond in the ligand molecule. The Mulliken population analysis showed that the electronic density of ligand (oxygen or nitrogen oxide) p-orbitals is transferred to the d-orbitals of the Fe atom, whose charge, calculated according to the Mulliken analysis, formally becomes negative. In the Heme–His complex with oxygen, this charge is substantially greater than in the complex with NO, and the oxygen molecule becomes polarized. No oxygen polarization is observed in the Heme–Cys complex, and the electron density (judging from the change in the Fe charge) is transferred to the coordinated sulfur atom. This is also characteristic of Heme–Cys complexes with nitrogen oxide. An analysis of charges on the atoms indicates that the character of chemical bonding of the oxygen molecule in Heme–Cys and Heme–Gly complexes is similar and basically differs from that in the case of the Heme–His complex.     

The protegulum and juvenile shell of a Recent articulate brachiopod: patterns of growth and chemical composition

Patterns of shell formation and the chemical composition of the shell deposited during early post-larval life were investigated in laboratory-reared cultures of the Recent articulate brachiopod Terebraralia transversa (Sowerby). A non-hinged protegulum averaging 148 pm in length is secreted by the mantle within a day after larval metamorphosis. The inner surface of the protegulum exhibits finely granular, non-fibrous material. A rudimentary periostracum constitutes the outer layer of the primordial shell. and concentrically arranged growth lines are lacking. By four days post-metamorphosis, a brephic type of juvenile shell develops from periodic additions of shell material to the anterior and lateral edges of the protegulum. Imbricated secondary fibers occur throughout the inner layer of the newly formed juvenile shell, and a rudimentary hinge apparatus is present posteriorly. The external surface of the shell exhibits concentric growth lines anterior to the caudally situated protegulum, and unbranched punctae begin to form in the subperiostracal region of the shell. At 23 days post-metamorphosis, the shell weighs an average of 1.7 μg and measures 318 μm in length. Electron microprobe analyses reveal that the protegulum is calcified. Minor amounts of sulfur, magnesium, iron, chlorine, aluminum, and silicon are also present in protegula and juvenile shells. Based on electron diffraction data, the mineral phase of juvenile shells consists of calcite, and protegula also appear to contain calcite.     

The role of atomic inner shell relaxations for photon-induced DNA damage

The influence of relaxations of atoms making up the DNA and atoms attached to it on radiation-induced cellular DNA damage by photons was studied by very detailed Monte Carlo track structure calculations, as an unusually high importance of inner shell ionizations for biological action was suspected from reports in the literature. For our calculations cross sections for photons and electrons for inner shell orbitals were newly derived and integrated into the biophysical track structure simulation programme PARTRAC. Both the local energy deposition in a small sphere around the interacting relaxed atom, and the number of relaxations per Gy and Gbp were calculated for several target geometries and many monoenergetic photon irradiations. Elements with the highest order number yielded the largest local energy deposition after interaction. The atomic relaxation after ionization of the L1 shell was found to be more biologically efficient than that of the K shell for high Z atoms. Generally, the number of inner shell relaxations produced by photon irradiation was small in comparison to the total number of double strand breaks generated by such radiation. Furthermore, the energy dependence of the total number of photon-induced and electron-induced relaxations at the DNA atoms does not agree with observed RBE values for different biological endpoints. This suggests that the influence of inner shell relaxations of DNA atoms on radiation-induced DNA damage is in general rather small.     

MICROTUBULES IN BIOLOGICAL CELLS AS CIRCULAR WAVEGUIDES AND RESONATORS

The microtubules in the cellular cytoskeleton have a fundamental role in the living processes of biological cells. They are hollow cylinders which resemble circular waveguides or cylindrical resonators. The cutoff and resonant frequencies of the transverse magnetic and transverse electric modes of the microtubule cavities are in the band of soft x-rays. This suggests the possibility of interaction of electromagnetic cavity modes with inner electrons in atoms (e.g., in carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen). Biological cells (e.g., the yeast cells of spherical shape) may also represent cavity resonators. In this case, the resonant frequencies may be in the infrared region.     

Application of mass and energy balance regularities in fermentation

Material and energy balances for fermentation processes are developed based on the facts that the heat of reaction per electron transferred to oxygen for a wide variety of organic molecules, the number of available electrons per carbon atom in biomass, and the weight fraction carbon in biomass are relatively constant. Mass–energy balance equations are developed which relate the biomass energetic yield coefficient to sets of variables which may be determined experimentally. Organic substrate consumption, biomass production, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, heat evolution, and nitrogen consumption are considered as measured variables. Application of the balances using direct and indirect methods of yield coefficient estimation is illustrated using experimental results from the literature. Product formation is included in the balance equations and the effect of product formation on biomass yield estimates is examined. Application of mass–energy balances in the optimal operation of continuous single-cell protein production facilities is examined, and the variation of optimal operating conditions with changes in yield are illustrated for methanol as organic substrate.     

Mitochondrial localization of cytochrome c1 with specific antibodies]

A specific antibody against cytochrome c1 (pig heart mitochondria) has been obtained. It inhibits the electron transport of the respiratory chain in the intact mitochondria at the cytochrome c1 site of inner mitochondrial membrane ; but it has no effect on the isolated submitochondrial particles (inside-out inner mitochondrial membrane vesicles free of any outer membrane or outside-out inner membrane). Thus the topologic position of cytochrome c1 in the inner mitochondrial membrane is asymetrically lcoated on the outer side of the inner mitochondrial membrane. These results agree with our previous researches on ATP-ase and cytochromes b, c and a, indicating the location on the inner side for the first one, transmembranous for the last one, on the outer side for the others respiratory chain components. Thus the electron transport from cytochrome b to a takes place in the outer region of inner mitochondrial membrane and the transmembranous location of cytochrome-oxidase facilitates the transfer of the electrons to oxygen.     

Hydrophobicity of amino acid subgroups in proteins

Protein folding studies often utilize areas and volumes to assess the hydrophobic contribution to conformational free energy (Richards, F.M. Annu. Rev. Biophys. Bioeng. 6:151-176, 1977). We have calculated the mean area buried upon folding for every chemical group in each residue within a set of X-ray elucidated proteins. These measurements, together with a standard state cavity size for each group, are documented in a table. It is observed that, on average, each type of group buries a constant fraction of its standard state area. The mean area buried by most, though not all, groups can be closely approximated by summing contributions from three characteristic parameters corresponding to three atom types: (1) carbon or sulfur, which turn out to be 86% buried, on average; (2) neutral oxygen or nitrogen, which are 40% buried, on average; and (3) charged oxygen or nitrogen, which are 32% buried, on average.     

Iron-sulfur cluster proteins: electron transfer and beyond

Iron-sulfur clusters-containing proteins participate in many cellular processes, including crucial biological events like DNA synthesis and processing of dioxygen. In most iron-sulfur proteins, the clusters function as electron-transfer groups in mediating one-electron redox processes and as such they are integral components of respiratory and photosynthetic electron transfer chains and numerous redox enzymes involved in carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur and nitrogen metabolism. Recently, novel regulatory and enzymatic functions of these proteins have emerged. Iron-sulfur cluster proteins participate in the control of gene expression, oxygen/nitrogen sensing, control of labile iron pool and DNA damage recognition and repair. Their role in cellular response to oxidative stress and as a source of free iron ions is also discussed.     

Influence of reactive media composition and chemical oxygen demand as methanol on autotrophic sulfur denitrification

Sulfur-utilizing autotrophic denitrification relies on an inorganic carbon source to reduce the nitrate by producing sulfuric acid as an end product and can be used for the treatment of wastewaters containing high levels of nitrates. In this study, sulfur-denitrifying bacteria were used in anoxic batch tests with sulfur as the electron donor and nitrate as the electron acceptor. Various medium components were tested under different conditions. Sulfur denitrification can drop the medium pH by producing acid, thus stopping the process half way. To control this mechanism, a 2:1 ratio of sulfur to oyster shell powder was used. Oyster shell powder addition to a sulfurdenitrifying reactor completely removed the nitrate. Using 50, 100, and 200 g of sulfur particles, reaction rate constants of 5.33, 6.29, and 7.96 mg(1/2)/l(1/2)·h were obtained, respectively; and using 200 g of sulfur particles showed the highest nitrate removal rates. For different sulfur particle sizes ranging from small (0.85-2.0 mm), medium (2.0-4.0 mm), and large (4.0-4.75 mm), reaction rate constants of 31.56, 10.88, and 6.23 mg(1/2)/l(1/2)·h were calculated. The fastest nitrate removal rate was observed for the smallest particle size. Addition of chemical oxygen demand (COD), methanol as the external carbon source, with the autotrophic denitrification in sufficiently alkaline conditions, created a balance between heterotrophic denitrification (which raises the pH) and sulfur-utilizing autotrophic denitrification, which lowers the pH.     

The ubiquinol/bc1 redox couple regulates mitochondrial oxygen radical formation

The generation of oxygen radicals in biological systems and their sites of intracellular release were subject of numerous studies in the last decades. Based on these studies mitochondria were considered as the major source of intracellular oxygen radicals. Although this finding is more or less accepted the mechanism of univalent oxygen reduction in mitochondria is still obscure. One of the most critical electron transfer steps of the respiratory chain is the electron bifurcation at the bc1 complex. From recent studies with genetically mutated mitochondria it became clear that electron bifurcation from ubiquinol to the bc1 complex requires an underanged mobility of the head domain of the Rieske iron sulfur protein. On the other hand it is long known that inhibition of electron bifurcation by antimycin A causes the leakage of single electrons to dioxygen, which results in the release of O2*- radicals. These findings made us to prove whether the impediment of the interaction of ubiquinol with the bc1 complex is the regulator of single electron diversion to oxygen. Impediment of electron bifurcation was observed following alterations of the physical state of membrane phospholipids in which the bc1 complex is inserted. Irrespectively, whether the fluidity of membrane lipids was elevated or decreased electron flow rates to the Rieske iron sulfur protein and to low potential cytochrome b were drastically reduced. Concomitantly O2*- radicals were released from these mitochondria, suggesting an effect on the mobility of the head domain of the Rieske iron sulfur protein. These results including the well known effect of antimycin A revealed the involvement of the ubiquinol bc1 redox couple in mitochondrial O2*- formation. The regulator which controls leakage of electrons to oxygen appears to be the electron branching activity of the bc1 complex.     

Crystallographic analysis of the reaction pathway of Zoogloea ramigera biosynthetic thiolase

Biosynthetic thiolases catalyze the biological Claisen condensation of two acetyl-CoA molecules to form acetoacetyl-CoA. This is one of the fundamental categories of carbon skeletal assembly patterns in biological systems and is the first step in many biosynthetic pathways including those which generate cholesterol, steroid hormones and ketone body energy storage molecules. High resolution crystal structures of the tetrameric biosynthetic thiolase from Zoogloea ramigera were determined (i) in the absence of active site ligands, (ii) in the presence of CoA, and (iii) from protein crystals which were flash frozen after a short soak with acetyl-CoA, the enzyme's substrate in the biosynthetic reaction. In the latter structure, a reaction intermediate was trapped: the enzyme was found to be acetylated at Cys89 and a molecule of acetyl-CoA was bound in the active site pocket. A comparison of the three new structures and the two previously published thiolase structures reveals that small adjustments in the conformation of the acetylated Cys89 side-chain allow CoA and acetyl-CoA to adopt identical modes of binding. The proximity of the acetyl moiety of acetyl-CoA to the sulfur atom of Cys378 supports the hypothesis that Cys378 is important for proton exchange in both steps of the reaction. The thioester oxygen atom of the acetylated enzyme points into an oxyanion hole formed by the nitrogen atoms of Cys89 and Gly380, thus facilitating the condensation reaction. The interaction between the thioester oxygen atom of acetyl-CoA and His348 assists the condensation step of catalysis by stabilizing a negative charge on the thioester oxygen atom. Our structure of acetyl-CoA bound to thiolase also highlights the importance in catalysis of a hydrogen bonding network between Cys89 and Cys378, which includes the thioester oxygen atom of acetyl-CoA, and extends from the catalytic site through the enzyme to the opposite molecular surface. This hydrogen bonding network is different in yeast degradative thiolase, indicating that the catalytic properties of each enzyme may be modulated by differences in their hydrogen bonding networks.     

Sulfur metabolism in Beggiatoa alba

The metabolism of sulfide, sulfur, and acetate by Beggiatoa alba was investigated under oxic and anoxic conditions. B. alba oxidized acetate to carbon dioxide with the stoichiometric reduction of oxygen to water. In vivo acetate oxidation was suppressed by sulfide and by several classic respiratory inhibitors, including dibromothymoquinone, an inhibitor specific for ubiquinones. B. alba also carried out an oxygen-dependent conversion of sulfide to sulfur, a reaction that was inhibited by several electron transport inhibitors but not by dibromothymoquinone, indicating that the electrons released from sulfide oxidation were shuttled to oxygen without the involvement of ubiquinones. Intracellular sulfur stored by B. alba was not oxidized to sulfate or converted to an external soluble form under aerobic conditions. On the other hand, sulfur stored by filaments of Thiothrix nivea was oxidized to extracellular soluble oxidation products, including sulfate. Sulfur stored by filaments of B. alba, however, was reduced to sulfide under short-term anoxic conditions. This anaerobic reduction of sulfur was linked to the endogenous oxidation of stored carbon and to hydrogen oxidation.     

Microbialite taphonomy and biogenicity: new insights from NanoSIMS

We here show that nano‐scale mapping of elements commonly utilized in biological cycles provides a promising new additional line of evidence when evaluating the extent of the contribution of biology to microbialites. Our case study comes from Lake Clifton in Western Australia, a unique environment where living domical and conical microbialites occur in close proximity to ≤4000‐year‐old fossilized equivalents. The outer margins of a partially lithified, actively growing Lake Clifton microbialite are characterized by abundant filamentous cyanobacteria within a loosely cemented aragonite matrix. Nano‐scale chemical maps have been successfully matched to specific morphological features such as trichomes, sheaths and putative extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). A suite of elements (C, O, Mg, N, Si, S) is concentrated within cyanobacterial sheaths, with carbon, magnesium, nitrogen and sulfur also enriched within trichomes and putative EPS. Calcium distribution highlights the sites of aragonite mineralization. In contrast, the fossilized Lake Clifton microbialite contains only rare, extensively degraded cyanobacterial filaments, the mean diameter of which is <50% of the living equivalents. Nevertheless, nano‐scale chemical maps can again be matched with morphological features. Here, poorly preserved filamentous microfossils are highlighted by enrichments in nitrogen and sulfur. Magnesium is no longer concentrated within the filaments, instead it co‐occurs with calcium and oxygen in the calcite cement. Extension of this study to a ∼2720‐million‐year‐old stromatolitic microbialite from the Tumbiana Formation of Western Australia shows that similar nano‐scale signals, in particular nitrogen and sulfur enrichments, are characteristic of stromatolite laminations, even when morphological microfossils are absent. The close similarities of nano‐scale elemental distributions in organic material from modern and ancient microbialites show that this technique provides a valuable addition to the morphological investigation of such structures, particularly in non‐fossiliferous ancient examples.     

Roles of the axial push effect in cytochrome P450cam studied with the site-directed mutagenesis at the heme proximal site

To examine the roles of the axial thiolate in cytochrome P450-catalyzed reactions, a mutant of cytochrome P450cam, L358P, was prepared to remove one of the conserved amide protons that are proposed to neutralize the negative charge of the thiolate sulfur. The increased push effect of the thiolate in L358P was evidenced by the reduced reduction potential of the heme. The 15N-NMR and resonance Raman spectra of the mutant in the ferric-CN and in the ferrous-CO forms, respectively, also supported the increased push effect. The maintenance of stereo- and regioselectivities for d-camphor hydroxylation by the mutant suggests the minimum structural change at the distal site. The heterolysis/homolysis ratios of cumene hydroperoxide were the same for wild-type and L358P. However, we observed the enhanced monooxygenations of the unnatural substrates using dioxygen and electrons supplied from the reconstituted system, which indicate the significant role of the push effect in dioxygen activation. We interpret that the enhanced push effect inhibits the protonation of the inner oxygen atom and/or promotes the protonation of the outer oxygen atom in the putative iron-hydroperoxo intermediate (Fe3+ -O-OH) of P450cam. This work is the first experimental indication of the significance of the axial cysteine for the P450 reactivity.