Structural and Functional Model Systems for Analysis of the Active Center of Nitrile Hydratase

The unique active site structure of nitrile hydratase (NHase) has a central metal ion (CoIII or FeIII) coordinated by two amide nitrogens from the peptide backbone, one cysteine sulfur and two oxidized cysteine sulfurs (Cys–SO and Cys–SO2). In this review, the biological implications of the nitrile hydration mechanism are discussed in context of model complexes prepared with the aim of understanding the unique structure of nitrile hydratase.