Functional effects of active site mutations in NAD+-dependent formate dehydrogenases on transformation of hydrogen carbonate to formate.

Conversion of hydrogen carbonate to formate by mutants of Candida methylica (CmFDH) and Chaetomium thermophilum (CtFDH) formate dehydrogenases (FDHs) was studied. Hydrogen carbonate is not the primary substrate for the hydride transfer reaction in FDHs. The chosen mutations were selected so that enzyme activity could remain at an adequate level.