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Mössbauer Spectroscopy

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Nitrogen Fixation

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 766))

Abstract

Mössbauer spectroscopy has contributed significantly to the studies of Fe-containing proteins. Early applications yielded detailed electronic characterizations of hemeproteins, and thus enhanced our understanding of the chemical properties of this important class of proteins. The next stage of the applications was marked by major discoveries of several novel Fe clusters of complex structures, including the 8Fe7S P cluster and the mixed metal 1Mo7Fe M center in nitrogenase. Since early 1990 s, rapid kinetic techniques have been used to arrest enzymatic reactions for Mössbauer studies. A number of reaction intermediates were discovered and characterized, both spectroscopically and kinetically, providing unprecedented detailed molecular-level mechanistic information. This chapter gives a brief summary of the historical accounts and a concise description of some experimental and theoretical elements in Mössbauer spectroscopy that are essential for understanding Mössbauer spectra. Major biological applications are summarized at the end.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Boi Hanh Huynh

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  1. Boi Hanh Huynh
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Correspondence to Boi Hanh Huynh .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Dept Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, 92697, California, USA

    Markus W. Ribbe

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Huynh, B.H. (2011). Mössbauer Spectroscopy. In: Ribbe, M. (eds) Nitrogen Fixation. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 766. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-194-9_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-194-9_15

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-193-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-194-9

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