Molecular Biology / Microbiology
Microorganisms in general are very suitable for the study of enzyme reaction mechanisms, because their respiratory enzymes are constructed more simply than their functionally identical mitochondrial homologues. Another advantage pertaining to the use of bacteria is the feasibility of applying genetic manipulation techniques. This is a crucial prerequisite for the efficient construction of mutants.
Our favourite objects are the cytochrome oxidases of the eubacteria Escherichia coli and Rhodobacter sphaeroides. We have already constructed a number of site-specific mutants of the cytochrome oxidase of E. coli (also termed cytochrome bo3) and have investigated them spectroscopically.