Two-component carnitine monooxygenase from Escherichia coli: functional characterization, inhibition and mutagenesis of the molecular interface.

Gut microbial production of trimethylamine (TMA) from l-carnitine is directly linked to cardiovascular disease. TMA formation is facilitated by carnitine monooxygenase, which was proposed as a target for the development of new cardioprotective compounds. Therefore, the molecular understanding of the two-component Rieske-type enzyme from Escherichia coli was intended.