The nature of the rate-limiting step of blue multicopper oxidases: Homogeneous studies versus heterogeneous

Multicopper oxidases (MCOs) catalyzed two half reactions (linked by an intramolecular electron transfer) through a Ping-Pong mechanism: the substrate oxidation followed by the O₂ reduction. MCOs have been characterized in details in solution or immobilized on electrode surfaces. The nature of the rate-limiting steps, which is controversial in the literature, is discussed in this mini review for both cases. Deciphering such rate-limiting steps is of particular importance to efficiently use MCOs in any applications requiring the reduction of O₂ to water.