Isotopic evidences of the preferential coordination between ¹²CO₂ and urease enzyme

The active Ni(II) centre of metalloenzyme urease forms a coordination with substrate urea prior to the hydrolysis of urea. The present study provided the direct experimental evidences of isotope preferential coordination between Ni(II) metal centre of urease enzyme and substrate urea, which eventually alters the product yield. Furthermore, in-vitro experiments revealed that the specific ¹²CO₂ isotopic species bridges between heavier isotope of substrate urea [¹³CO(NH₂)₂] and Ni(II) centre of urease for more effective coordination, which ultimately enhances the yield of the reaction. Finally, the in-vitro observations have been validated under in-vivo physiological conditions exploiting the urease activity of the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori present in human stomach. Hence, the present study paves the way for better understanding of the isotope-selective catalytic activity of urease enzyme and exemplifies the link between ¹²CO₂ and urease enzyme.