J.P. Turkenburg
Papers
1
Total Citations
31
H-Index
1
About
J.P. Turkenburg is a structural biologist whose work illuminates the molecular machinery of environmental bioremediation. His research centers on the structural characterization of unusual enzymes, particularly cytochrome P450s that degrade recalcitrant pollutants. Turkenburg’s landmark contribution is the elucidation of the 1.5-Å crystal structure of XplA-heme, the heme domain of a unique cytochrome P450 from *Rhodococcus* that catalyzes the reductive breakdown of the explosive hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). This study, which has garnered 31 citations, revealed a novel structural organization where the heme domain is C-terminally fused to its native flavodoxin redox partner, XplB. By solving this high-resolution structure, Turkenburg provided the first atomic-level insights into how this remarkable enzyme system transforms a major military explosive into harmless products, offering a blueprint for engineering bioremediation strategies. His work stands as a cornerstone in understanding how nature has evolved specialized P450s to tackle synthetic pollutants, making him a key figure in the field of environmental structural biology.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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