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Sangha Mitra, Ph.D. Senior Research Associate, Dept of Molecular and Cell biology Boston University School of Medicine Nitrile hydratase catalyzes the commercially important selective hydration of nitriles to amides. It is used in the industrial production of acrylamide and nicotinamide. The structural characterization of both iron- and cobalt-type NHases has provided some insight into how the molecular structure controls the enzyme function. To gain insight into the catalytically important active-site residues and the number of protons that are transferred in the transition state, I examined the pH and temperature dependence of the kinetic parameters and solvent isotope effect of the cobalt-type NHase from Pseudonocardia thermophila. Based on these data, a novel catalytic mechanism is proposed. Related Publications: 1. Mitra, S. and Holz, R. C. “Unraveling the Catalytic Mechanism of Nitrile Hydratases.” Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2007 Mar 9; 282(10):7397-404. [Read abstract here] Back to Research