Formation of a Nickel-Methyl Species in Methyl-Coenzyme M Reductase, an Enzyme Catalyzing Methane Formation.

The article describes the formation of a nickel-methyl species when methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCRred1a) state is incubated with bromomethane (BrMe). According to the authors, incubation of MCRred1a results in the loss of the electron paramagnetic resonance signal of the species and the formation of an electron paramagnetic resonance signal designated MCRBrMe. The characterization of electronic and geometric structure of MCRBrMe is provided.