Transition Metal Ion Reduction Characterization of Methanobactin

Abstract

Methanotropic bacteria use methanobactin (mb) as a copper sequestering, reducing, and transporting enzyme. This class of bacteria needs copper for use in an enzyme that oxidizes methane to methanol. Previous work at the University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire found that mb specifically binds to and reduces copper (II) to copper (I). Not much work has been done to see if mb will bind to other transition metals, such as silver or gold. This study examined the binding and reduction of copper (II,) silver (I) and gold ions by methanobactin using mass spectrometry.