10.1006/bioo.2000.1187
This study investigates the role of serine-246 in the cytochrome P450eryF-catalyzed hydroxylation of 6-deoxyerythronolide B. The researchers constructed and characterized three mutant forms of P450eryF (A245S, S246A, and A245S/S246A) to assess the role of hydroxyl groups around the active site in the proton delivery system. They found that changes in the hydrogen bonding environment correlated with decreased catalytic activity and increased uncoupling. The results suggest that serine-246 participates in the proton shuttling pathway and supports the hypothesis that the C-5 hydroxyl group of the substrate is involved in the acid-catalyzed dioxygen bond cleavage reaction. The study provides insights into the catalytic mechanism of P450eryF and highlights the importance of the hydrogen bonding network in maintaining its catalytic activity.