Light-induced reactivation of O2-tolerant membrane-bound [Ni–Fe] hydrogenase from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus under turnover conditions

We report the effect of UV-Vis light on the membrane-bound [Ni-Fe] hydrogenase from Aquifex aeolicus under turnover conditions. Using electrochemistry, we show a potential dependent light sensitivity and propose that a light-induced structural change of the [Ni-Fe] active site is related to an enhanced reactivation of the hydrogenase under illumination at high potentials.