Analyzing the catalytic mechanism of the Fe-type nitrile hydratase from Comamonas testosteroni Ni1

The catalytic mechanism of Fe-type nitrile hydratases (NHase) is studied by examining the pH and temperature dependence of the kinetic parameters along with the solvent isotope effect for the Fe-type NHase from Comamonas testosteriome Ni1 ([C.sub.t]NHase). The similarities in the kinetic data obtained for both Co- and Fe-type NHase enzyme have shown that both types of NHase enzymes have hydrated nitriles in a similar fashion.