Evidence of substrate binding and product release via belt-sulfur mobilization of the nitrogenase cofactor

The Mo-nitrogenase catalyses the ambient reduction of N(2) to NH(3) at the M-cluster, a complex cofactor that comprises two metal-sulphur partial cubanes ligated by an interstitial carbide and three belt-sulphurs. A recent crystallographic study suggests binding of N(2) via displacement of the belt-sulphur(s) of the M-cluster upon turnover. However, the direct proof of N(2) binding and belt-sulphur mobilization during catalysis remains elusive. Here we show that N(2) is captured on the M-cluster via electron- and sulphur-depletion, and that the N(2)-captured state is catalytically competent in generating NH(3). Moreover, we demonstrate that product release only occurs when sulphite is supplied along with a reductant, that sulphite is inserted as sulphide into the belt-sulphur displaced positions, and that there is a dynamic in-and-out of the belt-sulphurs during catalysis. Together, these results establish the mobilization of the cofactor belt-sulphurs as a crucial, yet overlooked, mechanistic element of the nitrogenase reaction.