Reaction: methane + NAD(P)H + H+ + O2 = methanol + NAD(P)+ + H2O
Other name(s): methane hydroxylase
Systematic name: methane,NAD(P)H:oxygen oxidoreductase (hydroxylating)
Comments: The enzyme is soluble, in contrast to the particulate enzyme, EC 1.14.18.3. Broad specificity; many alkanes can be hydroxylated, and alkenes are converted into the corresponding epoxides; CO is oxidized to CO2, ammonia is oxidized to hydroxylamine, and some aromatic compounds and cyclic alkanes can also be hydroxylated, but more slowly.
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EAWAG-BBD, EXPASY, KEGG, Metacyc, PDB, CAS registry number: 51961-97-8
References:
1. Colby, J. Stirling, D.I. and Dalton, H. The soluble methane mono-oxygenase of Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath). Its ability to oxygenate n-alkanes, n-alkenes, ethers, and alicyclic, aromatic and heterocyclic compounds. Biochem. J. 165 (1977) 395-402. [PMID: 411486]
2. Hyman, M.R. and Wood, P.M. Methane oxidation by Nitrosomonas europaea. Biochem. J. 212 (1983) 31-37. [PMID: 6870854]
3. Stirling, D.I. and Dalton, H. Properties of the methane mono-oxygenase from extracts of Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b and evidence for its similarity to the enzyme from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath). Eur. J. Biochem. 96 (1979) 205-212. [PMID: 572296]
4. Tonge, G.M., Harrison, D.E.F. and Higgins, I.J. Purification and properties of the methane mono-oxygenase enzyme system from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b. Biochem. J. 161 (1977) 333-344. [PMID: 15544]