Structural insight on the mechanism of an electron-bifurcating [FeFe] hydrogenase.

Electron bifurcation is a fundamental energy conservation mechanism in nature in which two electrons from an intermediate-potential electron donor are split so that one is sent along a high-potential pathway to a high-potential acceptor and the other is sent along a low-potential pathway to a low-potential acceptor. This process allows endergonic reactions to be driven by exergonic ones and is an alternative, less recognized, mechanism of energy coupling to the well-known chemiosmotic principle. The electron-bifurcating [FeFe] hydrogenase from (HydABC) requires both NADH and ferredoxin to reduce protons generating hydrogen.

Photoproducts of the Photodynamic Therapy Agent Verteporfin Identified via Laser Interfaced Mass Spectrometry.

Verteporfin, a free base benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A, is a photosensitizing drug for photodynamic therapy (PDT) used in the treatment of the wet form of macular degeneration and activated by red light of 689 nm. Here, we present the first direct study of its photofragmentation channels in the gas phase, conducted using a laser interfaced mass spectrometer across a broad photoexcitation range from 250 to 790 nm. The photofragmentation channels are compared with the collision-induced dissociation (CID) products revealing similar dissociation pathways characterized by the loss of the carboxyl and ester groups.