Comparative characterization of two distinct hydrogenases from Anabaena sp. strain 7120

Two distinct hydrogenases, hereafter referred to as "uptake" and "reversible" hydrogenase, were extracted from Anabaena sp. strain 7120 and partially purified. The properties of the two enzymes were compared in cell-free extracts. Uptake hydrogenase was largely particulate, and although membrane bound, it could catalyze an oxyhydrogen reaction. Particulate and solubilized uptake hydrogenase could catalyze H2 uptake with a variety of artificial electron acceptors which had midpoint potentials above 0 mV. Reversible hydrogenase was soluble, could donate electrons rapidly to electron acceptors of both positive and negative midpoint potential, and could evolve H2 rapidly when provided with reduced methyl viologen. Uptake hydrogenase was irreversibly inactivated by O2, whereas reversible hydrogenase was reversibly inactivated and could be reactivated by exposure to dithionite or H2. Reversible hydrogenase was stable to heating at 70 degrees C, but uptake hydrogenase was inactivated with a half-life of 12 min at this temperature. Uptake hydrogenase was eluted from Sephadex G-200 in a single peak of molecular weight 56,000, whereas reversible hydrogenase was eluted in two peaks with molecular weights of 165,000 and 113,000. CO was competitive with H2 for each enzyme; the Ki's for CO were 0.0095 atm for reversible hydrogenase and 0.039 atm for uptake hydrogenase. The pH optima for H2 evolution and H2 uptake by reversible hydrogenase were 6 and 9, respectively. Uptake hydrogenase existed in two forms with pH optima of 6 and 8.5. Both enzymes had very low Km's for H2, and neither was inhibited by C2H2.