Deep-Sea Enzyme Survives Heat That Destroys Most Proteins

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology isolated nitrogenase from the archaeon Methanocaldococcus infernus, found at hydrothermal vents. The enzyme begins breaking down only at 90 °C and partly survives at 98 °C, producing ammonia only at high temperatures.

• M. infernus nitrogenase stable at 90 °C, partly at 98 °C
• Enzyme inactive at room temperature, ammonia forms only in heat
• Structure combines molybdenum, vanadium and iron nitrogenase traits
• First turnover state recorded in a molybdenum nitrogenase