Modified cytochrome c/H2O2 system: spectroscopic EPR investigation of the biocatalytic behaviour

In recent years there has been growing interest in methods for the degradat ion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Cytochrome c (Cyt c) systems in th e presence of H2O2 are able to oxidize various aromatic compounds. In order to investigate ways of improving the performance of Cyt c/H2O2 oxidation s ystems, site-directed mutagenesis, and chemical modifications on the hemopr otein surface with poly(ethylene glycol) and methylation of the active site have been performed. The EPR technique and UV-VIS spectroscopy have been u sed to identify radical intermediates and heme iron spin states of the chem ical modified Cyt c (PEG-Cyt-Met) and Cyt c mutants. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scie nce B.V. All rights reserved.