Characterization of the key enzymes involved in hydrogen production in green algae

Martin Winkler, Gregory von Abendroth, Christina Kamp, and Thomas Happe

Ruhr-Universität Bochum, LS Biochemie der Pflanzen, AG Photobiotechnologie, ND2/169, Universitätsstrasse 150, D-44780 Bochum

Green algae are the only known eukaryotes with an oxygenic photosynthesis and a hydrogen metabolism. H2 production is light-dependent, since the monomeric [FeFe]-hydrogenases are coupled to the photosynthetic electron transport chain. Hydrogenases of green algae are very efficient catalysts and could serve in (semi-) artificial systems for H2 generation. For detailed analyses of the enzyme biochemistry, large amounts of pure and active hydrogenase have to be isolated. We have optimized both the homologous and heterologous biosynthesis of the hydrogenases of C. reinhardtii and further algal species. The heterologous system allows us to investigate the structure-function relationships of algal hydrogenases by analyzing enzyme variants.

e-mail address of presenting author: Thomas.Happe@rub.de