Formaldehyde Ferredoxin Oxidoreductase

Abstract

Formaldehyde ferredoxin oxidoreductase (FOR) is a homotetramer where each subunit contains a [4Fe–4S] cluster and a mononuclear tungsten atom coordinated by the dithioline groups of two pterin molecules. It is a member of a family of five closely related tungstoenzymes found in organisms that grow at high temperatures in marine volcanic vents. FOR catalyzes the two‐electron oxidation of its aldehyde substrate to the corresponding acid with the concomitant reduction of ferredoxin, its physiological electron acceptor. FOR oxidizes short chain C1‐C4 aldehydes as substrates but has the highest affinity for C_4‐C_6 di‐ and semialdehydes. The enzyme is proposed to have a role in peptide metabolism.

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