Naphthalene 1,2-dioxygenase subunit beta (NDO-beta)

Naphthalene 1,2-dioxygenase subunit beta is one component of the multimeric enzyme complex naphthalene 1,2-dioxygenase, which catalyzes the initial dioxygenation of naphthalene and structurally related aromatic hydrocarbons in certain soil bacteria, such as Pseudomonas species. This enzyme plays a crucial role in the microbial degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a process central to environmental remediation (bioremediation) of contaminated soils and waters. The enzyme complex is an alpha₃beta₃ hexamer, where the beta subunit is primarily structural but necessary for functional assembly and stability of the holoenzyme. The catalytic activity—incorporating both atoms of O₂ into the aromatic ring to form cis-dihydrodiol metabolites—is performed at a nonheme iron center on the alpha subunit, but the beta subunit is thought to assist in proper overall enzyme conformation and function. The broad substrate specificity of the enzyme allows it to mediate the oxidation of various aromatic pollutants, making it of significant interest for environmental biotechnology applications. It is not considered a therapeutic target in medicine or pharmacology.

Other names

NDO beta subunitnahAd (gene name in Pseudomonas)Naphthalene dioxygenase small oxygenase component

Not applicable for drugs; enzyme catalyzes incorporation of both atoms of molecular oxygen into the aromatic substrate via a non-heme iron center, as part of a larger degrative pathway