Purification and Some Properties of Soluble Cytochromes, Cytochrome c-551 and Cytochrome c-550, from a Facultative Methylotroph, Protaminobacter ruber strain NR-1

Two soluble cytochromes of the C-type, cytochrome c-551 andcytochrome c-550, were purified from the bacteriochlorophyll-containingcells of a facultative methylotroph, Protaminobacter ruber StrainNR-1, by ion-exchange chromatography and gel-filtration. Cytochrome c-551 had absorption maxima at 551, 522 and 416 nmin the reduced form, and at 525, 410 and 273 nm in the oxidizedform. This cytochrome was a slightly basic protein with an isoelectricpoint of 8.4. It had a mid-point redox potential of 272 mV atpH 7.0. The molecular weight of this protein was 13,500 and13,700 by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE) and gel-filtration, respectively. Cytochrome c-550 had absorption maxima at 550, 522 and 415 nmin the reduced form, and at 527, 409 and 278 nm in the oxidizedform. This cytochrome was acidic, having an isoelectric pointof 4.3. It had a mid-point redox potential of 227 mV at pH 7.0.Its molecular weight was 19,500 and 22,000 by SDS-PAGE and gel-filtration,respectively. (Received August 4, 1984; Accepted October 22, 1984)     

Isolation and Purification of Cytochrome b561 from a Photosynthetic Bacterium, Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides

Cytochrome b₅₆₁ was removed from chromatophores of a photoanaerobicallygrown Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides by deoxycholate-cholate andTriton X-100 treatments of the chromatophores. The cytochromewas purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and gel filtration.Its molecular weight was 45,000 (45 kD) and it was composedof three subunits with molecular weights of 23 kD, 19 kD andless than 6 kD. The cytochrome preparation had absorption maximaat 414 nm in the oxidized form, and at 428, 530 and 561 nm inthe reduced form. Its pi was 4.8. The midpoint potential ofthis cytochrome was 153 mV at pH 7.0. The compound was autooxidizable,and it had cytochrome c oxidase activity. (Received May 16, 1983; Accepted September 8, 1983)     

AN f-TYPE CYTOCHROME FROM CHLORELLA VULGARIS

A method for isolating an f-type cytochrome (Chlorella cytochrome554) from Chlorella vulgaris var. viridis (CHODAT) utilizingN, N-diethylaminoethylcellulose is described. The spectrum ofreduced Chlorella cyt. 554 has absorption maxima at 554 mµ(-band), 524 mµ (ß-band), 417 mµ (SORETband), 352 mµ, 319 mµ and 277 mµ (proteinband). The oxidized form has absorption maxima at 554mµ530 mµ, (ß-band), 412 mµ (SORET band),360mµ 322 mµ and 275 mµ (protein band). Thespectral characteristics resembled other f-type cytochromes,e. g. in the high SORET to -extinction ratio (6.8) and an asymmetric-absorption band (especially at liquid N₂ temperature) ; butcharacteristic differences were present. Mitochondria from whitelupine seedlings and sweet potato roots reduced Chlorella cyt.554. From the effects of antimycin A and 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinolineN-oxide it appears that Chlorella cyt. 554 was reduced sequentiallybefore cytochrome a+a₃ and near the level of the cytochromesof the b type. Oxidation was slow using lupine mitochondriaand nil with sweet potato mitochondria. The oxidation-reductionpotential at pH 7.2 and 30? was 0.35 V. Ascorbate, cysteine,glutathione and Na₂S₂O₄ readily reduced Chlorella cyt. 554.The cytochrome was not autoxidizable and was slowly oxidizedby excess potassium ferricyanide. The reduced form did not reactwith CO and was not adsorbed by IRC-50 or Cellex-P cation exchangers. ¹ Temporary address until September 1961: Department of HorticulturalScience, University of California, Los Angeles 24, California,U. S. A. ² Present address: Plant Industry Station, Pioneering ResearchLaboratory, Marketing Quality Research Division, AgriculturalMarketing Service, Beltsville, Maryland, U. S. A. (Received January 16, 1961; )     

The light-dependent effect of external pH on the membrane potential of Nitella

In the light the membrane potential of Nitella flexilis andNitella axilliformis was hyperpolarized by raising the externalpH above pH 5.5, at the rate of 30–40 mV/pH below pH 8.This hyperpolarization was largely reduced in the dark. The membrane potential was sensitive to the external pH of mediawith a low potassium concentration, where it was relativelyinsensitive to potassium concentration. In media of a high concentrationwhere it was sensitive to the potassium concentration, the membranebecame insensitive to the external pH. The transition from apH-sensitive to a pH-insensitive state occurred rather abruptlyon increasing the external potassium concentration. (Received September 1, 1972; )     

STUDIES ON ALGAL CYTOCHROME: I. ENZYMIC ACTIVITIES PERTAINING TO PORPHYRA TENERA CYTOCHROME 553 IN CELL-FREE EXTRACTS

1. Enzymic activities pertaining to Porphyra tenera cytochrome553 were investigated with cell-free extracts of a red alga,Porphyra tenera, and various fractions prepared therefrom.
2. Thealgal extracts were found to be incapable, in the dark,of catalyzingoxidation of reduced cytochrome 553 at a ratesufficient toaccount for the respiratory oxygen-uptake in theintact cell.Oxidation of cytochrome 553 was highly acceleratedon illumination.The former reaction was found to be cyanide-sensitiveand thelatter, cyanide-insensitive. Both activities were foundto belocalized in the particulate fraction of the cell extract.
3. Significantactivities of reduced pyridine nucleotide-cytochromereductasewere discovered in the soluble fraction of the cellextract,the reaction being two or three times faster with TPNHthanwith DPNH as electron donor. There was no reaction withsuccinatein the presence of cytochrome and 2,6–dichlorophenolindophenol.
4. Porphyra tenera cytochrome 553 was shown to be localized inthe plastids of the algal cell.
5. Possible functions of cytochrome553 in the algal metabolismwere discussed.

     

Crystallization and some properties of cryptocytochrome c from aerobically-grown Pseudomonas denitrificans

1. 1. Analyses of cytochrome types in intact cells of aerobically-and anaerobically-grownPs. denitrificans indicated a higherratio of cytochrome c to cytochrome b in the former than inthe latter.
2. 2. Anaerobically-grown cells contained about twotimes as muchcryptocytochrome c as did aerobically-grown cells.
3. 3. Crystalline cryptocytochrome c obtained from the solublefraction of cell-free extracts of aerobically-grown cells manifestedthe same properties as cryptocytochrome c from anaerobically-growncells, i. e., absorption maxima, autooxidizability, redox potential,molecular weight, haem content, etc.
4. 4. Cryptocytochrome cwas reversibly converted to a true haemochrometype spectrumby alcohols, detergents, carboxylic acid salts,guanidine saltor high pH values.

(Received December 16, 1968; )     

Studies on the cytochromef ofBryopsis maxima in vivo andin vitro

Cytochromec (553.7Bryopsis maxima) isolated fromB. maxima had absorption maxima at 553.7, 523.0, 417.1 and 317.5 nm in its reduced form. Isosbestic points in the reduced minus oxidized difference spectrum were located at 561, 543, 528, 511, 436, 411 and 334 nm. The purified protein exhibited a molecular weight of 10,700. The midpoint potential for the cytochromec was estimated to be 372±5 mVin vitro at pH 7.0 and 365±5 mVin vivo.In vivo 80% of the cytochromec was in the reduced form. This cytochrome was located only in chloroplasts indicating that it functions in the photosynthetic electron transport as cytochromef. Chloroplasts contained one molecule of this cytochrome per 360 molecules of chlorophyll. The magnitude of the chemically induced absorbance changes for the cytochromoesin vivo were much smaller than the light-induced absorbance change at 561 nm. It is concluded that the light-induced 561 nm absorbance change characteristic of this alga is not mainly attributable to the redox reaction of cytochromesb andf in the chloroplasts.     

Purification and properties of cytochrome c and two peroxidases from spinach leaves

1. A simultaneous purification procedure of cytochrome c, peroxidases,ferredoxin, ferredoxin-NADP reductase and sulfite reductasefrom spinach leaves is described. Cytochrome c, ferredoxin andferredoxin-NADP reductase were prepared in crystalline states.The two peroxidases were obtained in homogeneous states as evidencedby their electrophoretic patterns on acrylamide gel and sedimentationanalysis. 2. Crystalline cytochrome c showed a molecular weight of 13,800and an E₀' of 270 mv at pH 7.0. In addition to these properties,its spectral pattern also indicated that this cytochrome c wasderived from mitochondria. 3. Two peroxidases were isolated in high spin forms after treatmentwith HgCl₂. They had a-peaks at 556 mµ in their reducedforms. Although both peroxidases showed small differences inchromatographic behavior on a carboxymethyl cellulose column,' they had similar spectral properties, dissociation constantsof peroxidase-cyanide complex and rate constants for peroxidasereactions. (Received December 24, 1970; )     

Cytochrome components of green alga, Bryopsis maxima

Five soluble cytochromes were isolated and were partially purifiedfrom Bryopsis maxima: Cytochrome b-562 is slightly autoxidizable and has a midpointredox potential of +175 mV at pH 7.0. Its molecular weight isclose to 30,000 as estimated by dextran gel filtration. Cytochrome b-555 is autoxidizable and can be reduced by dithionitebut not by ascorbate. Cytochrome c-549 is a basic protein. It is slightly autoxidizableand reducible with either ascorbate or dithionite. Cytochrome c-549_(LP) is autoxidizable and reducible with dithionitebut not with ascorbate. The reduced cytochrome combines withcarbon monoxide. Cytochrome c-553 is the f-type one, which was reported by Sugimuraet al. (1968). ¹ This paper is dedicated to the memory of the late Prof. AtusiTakamiya at Toho University. (Received September 10, 1976; )     

Purification and properties of soluble cytochrome b-560 from spinach leaves

A b-type cytochrome having an -band at 560 nm was isolated fromspinach leaves (Spinacia oleracea). A method is described forpreparing this cytochrome, cytochrome b-560 (spinach), in apurified state. The cytochrome has, in its reduced state, absorption bands at560 nm (), 530 nm (ß) and 427 nm (); and in the oxidizedstate at 562 nm (), 529 nm (ß) and 417 nm (). Thepyridine ferro-haemochrome prepared from cytochrome b-560 hadan -band at 556.5 nm, indicating the protohaem-nature of theprosthetic group. The cytochrome has an oxidation-reduction potential (E'⁰) of+0.13V at pH 7.0, as measured using the ferri-ferro oxalate system. The cytochrome is rapidly reduced on illumination with red orfar-red light in the presence of spinach chloroplasts and isoxidized at a slower rate in the dark. This photoreduction isinhibited by 1x10^–6 M 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea(DCMU). The molecular weight of the cytochrome is 30,000 asestimated by the dextran gel filtration method. (Received December 3, 1971; )     

Isolation, Purification and Some Properties of Cytochrome c-551 from Chromatium vinosum

Cytochrome c-551 was isolated and purified from a photosyntheticbacterium Chromatium vinosum by ammonium sulfate fractionation,ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The cytochromehad absorption maxima at 280, 407 and 523–524 nm in theoxidized form, and 416, 521 and 549.5 nm in the reduced form.The reduced-minusoxidized difference millimolar absorption coefficientwas 9.90 mM^–1cm^–1 for the wavelength pair, 550.5minus 540 nm. The molecular weight of the cytochrome was 16,000by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and 15,500 by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamidegel electrophoresis. The midpoint redox potential was +240 mVat pH 8.0. Cytochrome c-551 was released from bacterial cells when spheroplastswere produced but EDTA and lysozyme treatments. The releasedcytochrome had the same properties as those of the cytochromepreparation obtained by disruption of cells through a Frenchpressure cell. This confirms the earlier suggestion that cytochromec-551 is located in the periplasmic space of cells. (Received August 21, 1982; Accepted October 28, 1982)     

Purification and properties of a dissimilatory nitrite reductase of a denitrifying phototrophic bacterium

Nitrite reductase [nitric-oxide : (acceptor) oxidoreductase,EC 1.7.2.1 [EC] ] from a denitrifying phototrophic bacterium, Rhodopseudomonassphaeroides forma sp. denitrificans, was purified. The molecularweight of the enzyme, estimated by gel-filtration, was 80,000.Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis ofthe purified enzyme showed a single 39,000 molecular weightband, indicating that the enzyme was composed of two subunitsof identical molecular weight. The oxidized form of the enzymeexhibited maximum absorption at 280 nm, 450 nm and 590 nm, andthe reduced form only at 280 nm. The ESR spectrum of a frozensolution of the oxidized enzyme showed a typical spectrum patternof a copper protein, suggesting that two types of Cu²⁺ existedwithin the enzyme. Estimates with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer,revealed two copper atoms per molecule. The optimum pH of theenzyme was 7.0. Km for nitrite was estimated to be 51 µM,and the optimum temperature, 30?C. The enzyme was inhibitedby CO, potassium cyanide and diethyldithiocarbamate and activatedby monoiodoacetate. Phenazine methosulfate, 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol,horse heart cytochrome c, and cytochrome c₂ from this bacteriumwere suitable electron donors. The enzyme also showed cytochromec oxidase activity. (Received May 4, 1978; )     

Cytocbromec-554 derived from the blue-green alga Spirulina platensis

Cytochrome c-554 was purified from Spirulina platensis and someof its properties were studied. The cytochrome shows absorptionpeaks at 354, 410 and 529 nm in the oxidized form and at 318,416, 523 and 553.6 nm in the reduced form. The a peak at 553.6nm is slightly asymmetric with a shoulder around 550 nm. Theisoelectric point, midpoint redox potential and molecular weightof the cytochrome are 4.9, +0.35 V and 10,000, respectively.The cytochrome reacts fairly rapidly with Pseudomonas aeruginosanitrite reductase but does not react with cow cytochrome oxidase.The reactivities with the two enzymes of the S. platensis cytochromehave been compared with those of other algal c-type cytochromes. (Received August 22, 1977; )     

Cytochrome c' Isolated from Achromobacter xylosoxidans GIFU 1055

Cytochrome c' has been isolated from Achromobacter xylosoxidansGIFU 1055. The absorption spectra of the oxidized and the reducedforms are almost the same as those of cytochromes c' found sofar. The reduced form combines with CO and NO. The hemoproteinis a basic protein and consists of two identical subunits witha molecular weight of 14,000. It is readily autooxidizable withmidpoint redox potential of + 111 mV at pH 7.2. (Received December 2, 1985; Accepted February 20, 1986)     

STUDIES ON LACTATE CYTOCHROME C REDUCTASES OF YEAST WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ELECTROPHORESIS ON POLYACRYLAMIDE GEL

1. Two lactate dehydrogenases, L(+)- and D(–)- lactate cytochromec reductase, were extracted from the baker's yeast after disintegrationof the cells by a FRENCH press. They are separated by electrophoresison polyacrylamide gel and their activities were compared bycolor density of formazan, the reduction product of nitrobluetetrazolium.
2. The ratio of L-lactate cytochrome c reductaseactivity to D-lactatecytochrome c reductase activity variedto a great extent, dependingon culture conditions. L-Lactatecytochrome c reductase waspredominant in resting cells; thereverse was the case withcells in early exponential stage ofthe growth.
3. When the cells in exponential stage of growthwere aerated withoutnitrogen source, there occurred an intensiveincrease of L-lactatecytochrome c reductase, accompanied bythe decrease of D-lactatecytochrome c reductase.
4. Effectsof inhibitors on the activity ratio of these two enzymeswereinvestigated. o-Phenanthroline, dinitrophenol, sodium azide,chloramphenicol, British antilewisite and antimycin A favored,in this order, the formation of L-lactate cytochrome c reductase.

(Received August 18, 1966; )     

Cytochrome b560 in chromatophores from Chromatium vinosum

A membrane-bound cytochrome of the B-type in Chromatium chromatophores,cytochrome b₅₆₀, was reduced both by flash light activationand continuous illumination in the presence of antimycin atcontrolled ambient redox potentials. The light-minus-dark differencespectra had peaks at 560 and 430 nm, and troughs at 445 and415 nm. The reduction was observed in the ambient redox potentialfrom 400 to about 200 mV. However, below 200 mV, a re-reductionof photooxidized C-type cytochrome superimposed the reductionof cytochrome b₅₆₀ In the absence of antimycin, the reductionwas not observed, suggesting that the reoxidation of cytochromeb₅₆₀ was faster than the reduction. Dark titrations at various pH values showed that E_m7 of thecytochrome b₅₆₀ was about 40 mV and the E_m value was pH-dependent(–60 mV/pH) from pH 6 to 9. Cytochrome b₅₆₀ had a pK ataround pH 9. The content and some properties of cytochrome b₅₆₀ were similarin chromatophores from either photoautotrophically or photoheterotrophicallygrown cells. The possibility of involvement of cytochrome b₅₆₀ in the photosyntheticelectron transfer is discussed. (Received April 19, 1980; )     

Isolation and Purification of a Ubiquinone-Cytochrome b-c1 Complex from a Photosynthetic Bacterium, Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides

A ubiquinone-cytochrome b-c₁ complex was removed from chromatophoremembranes of a Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides green mutant bydeoxycholate-cholate treatment of the chromatophores. The complexwas purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and gel filtration. The molecular weight of the purified complex was 240,000 (240kD) and it was composed of seven subunits with molecular weightsof 47 kD, 42 kD, 38 kD, 32 kD, 30 kD, 24 kD and 16 kD. The complexcontained 1.54 and 3.42 nmol of cytochrome c₁ and two differentcytochrome b species per mg protein, respectively. It also contained7.07 nmol of ubiquinone, 6.37 nmol of non-heme iron and about3 nmol of carotenoids per mg protein. No flavins were detected.Heme staining indicated that the 32 kD-and 24 kD-subunits werecytochromes. The midpoint potential of cytochrome c₁ was 245 mV, and thevalues for the cytochromes b were 60 mV and –75 mV atpH 7.2. The peak of the -band of the reduced-minus-oxidizeddifference spectrum of cytochrome c₁ was located at 552.5 nm,arid peaks of the b-type cytochromes with higher and lower midpointpotentials were located at 562 nm and 563 nm. The chemical and the subunit compositions of the purified complexreported here were similar to those obtained for the inner membranesof mitochondria of various organisms. (Received April 5, 1982; Accepted June 14, 1982)     

Inhibitory Effect of N,N'-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide on Reduction of Cytochrome b560 and Stoichiometry of the Reduction in Chromatium Chromatophores

N,N'-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) inhibited the flash-inducedreduction of cytochrome b₅₆₀, by blocking the electron flowbetween the secondary electron acceptor and cytochrome b₅₆₀presumably in the vicinity of the ubiquinone pool. The stoichiometryof the reduced cytochrome b₅₆₀ per reaction center bacteriochlorophylldimer was 0.77?0.12 throughout the redox potential range of150 to 390 mV at pH 7.0. The high stoichiometry suggested thatmost of the electrons ejected from the reaction center reducedcytochrome b₅₆₀. (Received January 19, 1982; Accepted March 15, 1982)     

Histochemical Studies of Sclereid Induction in the Shoot of Rauwolfia Species: I. CYTOCHROME OXIDASE

Results of histochemical tests for cytochrome oxidase activityin four species of Rauwolfia have been reported. The cells beneaththe terminal shoot meristem constitute the pith. Histochemicaltests showed intensified enzymatic activity in those cells ofthe pith which would differentiate as sclereid initials. Similarcytochrome oxidase activity also occurred in the sclereid initialsand the developing sclereids. The cytochrome oxidase activitywas associated with two types of particulate formation, thegranular and rod-shaped. The ground parenchymatous cells ofthe pith and the leaf-base showed very little enzymatic activityof cytochrome oxidase. The characteristic indophenol blue colorationdue to cytochrome oxidase activity did not appear in controlsections. Physiological changes correlated with morphogeneticexpression of some pith cells demonstrate that the physiologicalchanges occur before the initiation of sclereids in the morphologicallyhomogeneous parenchymatous cells of the pith. Intensified cytochromeoxidase activity was also recorded in the meristematic tissuesof shoot apex, procambium, axillary buds and the laticiferouscells of Rauwolfia.     

Purification and Properties of NADH:Nitrate Reductase from the Red Alga Porphyra yezoensis

Assimilatory nitrate reductase (NADH) (EC 1.6.6.1 [EC] ) from thered alga Porphyra yezoensis was purified 5,700-fold by a combinationof polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment, ammonium sulfate fractionation,chromatography on columns of butyl-Toyopearl 650-M, Blue SepharoseCL-6B, DEAE-cellulose (DE 52), and hydroxyapatite, gel filtrationon Sephacryl S-400. The purest preparation of the enzyme hada specific activity of 12.5 units mg^–1 protein. A singleband of protein was detected after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresisunder nondenaturing conditions. This band corresponded to aband that stained positive for reduced methyl viologen-nitratereductase activity. The molecular weight of the native enzymewas estimated to be 220,000. A single band of a protein witha molecular weight of 100,000 was detected after sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These results indicatethat the native nitrate reductase is composed of two identicalsubunits. The homogeneous preparation of nitrate reductase hada UV/visible spectrum typical of a b-type cytochrome. The K_mvalues for NADH and KNO₃ were 23 µM and 64 µM, respectively.The pH optimum for the reaction catalyzed by the nitrate reductasewas 8.3, while pH values that supported maximum partial activitiesranged from 7.0 to 8.5. Sulfhydryl reagents, such as p-HMB andNEM, inhibited full and NADH-utilizing partial activities, whilecyanide and azide were effective inhibitors of full and nitrate-reducingpartial activities. (Received March 3, 1993; Accepted September 6, 1993)