This enzyme, which is found in thermophilic microorganisms, contains one mononuclear none-heme iron centre per subunit. Elemental sulfur is both the electron donor and one of the two known acceptors, the other being oxygen. Thiosulfate is also observed as a product, but is likely formed non-enzymically by a reaction between sulfite and sulfur [1]. This enzyme differs from EC 1.13.11.18, persulfide dioxygenase and EC 1.12.98.4, sulfhydrogenase, in that both activities occur simultaneously.
Coupled enzymatic production of sulfite, thiosulfate, and hydrogen sulfide from sulfur: purification and properties of a sulfur oxygenase reductase from the facultatively anaerobic archaebacterium Desulfurolobus ambivalens.