High-Field EPR Studies of the Mn(II) Centers in Bacillus subtilis Oxalate Decarboxylase

Oxalate Decarboxylase (OxDC) is an enzyme that catalyzes the manganese-dependent breakdown of the oxalate monoanion into carbon dioxide and formate. EPR measurements performed at very high magnetic fields greatly simplify the task of assigning fine structure parameters to each of the Mn(II) centers in wild-type OxDC. The results provide new insights into the strengths and limitations of theoretical methods for understanding protein-bound Mn(II), setting the stage for future EPR studies of Mn(II) centers in OxDC.