Abstract 2036 Characterization of Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) Catabolism

Riboflavin, commonly known as vitamin B2, is a redox cofactor involved in the catalysis of a wide diversity of biological oxidation reactions, such as shuttling electrons, accepting/donating hydrides, and creating flavin hydroperoxides with molecular oxygen. Due to the ubiquitous nature of riboflavin, flavoenzymology is now a well-studied area. In contrast, very little is known about the enzymes involved in riboflavin catabolism. Previously our group successfully isolated a bacterial strain able to catalyze the oxidative cleavage of ribose from the isoalloxazine heterocycle, leaving lumichrome, but unable to catalyze any further breakdown.