Artificial HeROs (Heme-copper Robust Oxidases) for biomass degradation

• Grant number: 24/18062-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Caterina Gruenwaldt Cunha Marques Netto
• Grantee: Caterina Gruenwaldt Cunha Marques Netto
• Principal researcher abroad: Katherine Davis
• Institution abroad: Emory University, United States
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/09722-0 - Artificial HeROs (Heme-copper Robust Oxidases) for biomass degradation, AP.R

Abstract

The Artificial HeROs project aims to develop copper complex mimics of the LPMO enzyme by integrating them with modified protoporphyrin IX (ModHeme) to form bimetallic complexes for dioxygen activation. The approach involves attaching copper complexes to ModHeme to position the copper center near the heme group, enhancing the synergistic interaction between the two centers for efficient dioxygen coordination and activation. The project will first focus on thoroughly characterizing the system without a protein scaffold using techniques like X-ray crystallography, XAS, XPS, EPR, CV, microanalysis, UV-Vis, Raman, and FTIR. Subsequently, the insertion of ModHeme into heme-proteins, specifically Hell's Gate Globin I, will be attempted due to its structural flexibility, which may accommodate larger heme groups. Prof. Eduardo Souza (UFC-Brazil) will provide the globin and its mutants. This fusion of a protein scaffold with a homogeneous catalyst aims to create artificial metalloenzymes, combining the water solubility and tunability of an enzyme with the modifiable active site properties of ModHeme. (AU)