Abstract 2001 Site-directed mutagenesis and substrate scope of Benzylsuccinate synthase (BSS)

Some bacteria metabolize hydrocarbons (i.e. crude oil) anaerobically within natural and manmade environments. These bacteria utilize X-succinate synthases (XSSs), a class of glycyl radical enzymes (GREs), which convert C–H bonds of both aromatic hydrocarbons and straight chain alkanes into new C–C bonds through addition to the substrate fumarate, thus activating them for bacterial metabolism. This allows the potential application of these enzymes in bioremediation efforts and as biocatalysts for synthetic chemistry.