Structure-guided insights into heterocyclic ring-cleavage catalysis of the non-heme Fe (II) dioxygenase NicX

Abstract

2,5-Dihydroxypyridine dioxygenase NicX uses a mononuclear non-heme Fe(II) to catalyze the oxidative pyridine ring cleavage of the pollutant 2,5-hydroxypyridine. Here, the authors report crystal structures of NicX, identify residues involved in substrate stabilization and Fe(II) coordination, and propose the catalytic mechanism of NicX.