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Science 27 October 1995:
Vol. 270. no. 5236, pp. 587 - 588
DOI: 10.1126/science.270.5236.587
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Perspectives

Julie A. Kovacs, Steven C. Shoner, Jeffrey J. Ellison

In contrast to most metabolic processes, but similar to some industrial catalysts, vitamin B12 contains a cobalt-active species and is sometimes referred to as "nature's organometallic catalyst." Kovacs et al. provide background and commentary to accompany the research report by Kumar et al. (p. 628) describing a second organometallic intermediate in biology--an active nickel species that serves as a precursor to acetic acid through its reaction with carbon monoxide and acetyl-CoA synthase.

The authors are in the Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195. E-mail: kovacs@chem.washington.edu




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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)