Probing Reversible Chemistry in Coenzyme B12‐Dependent Ethanolamine Ammonia Lyase with Kinetic Isotope Effects

Coenzyme B₁₂‐dependent enzymes such as ethanolamine ammonia lyase have remarkable catalytic power and some unique properties that enable detailed analysis of the reaction chemistry and associated dynamics. By selectively deuterating the substrate (ethanolamine) and/or the β‐carbon of the 5′‐deoxyadenosyl moiety of the intrinsic coenzyme B₁₂, it was possible to experimentally probe both the forward and reverse hydrogen atom transfers between the 5′‐deoxyadenosyl radical and substrate during single‐turnover stopped‐flow measurements. These data are interpreted within the context of a kinetic model where the 5′‐deoxyadenosyl radical intermediate may be quasi‐stable and rearrangement of the substrate radical is essentially irreversible. Global fitting of these data allows estimation of the intrinsic rate constants associated with Co?C homolysis and initial H‐abstraction steps. In contrast to previous stopped‐flow studies, the apparent kinetic isotope effects are found to be relatively small.