A study of the magnetic properties of haem a3 in cytochrome c oxidase by using magnetic-circular-dichroism spectroscopy.

M.c.d. (magnetic-circular-dichroism) spectroscopy was used to study the magnetization properties of the haem centres in cytochrome c oxidase with magnetic fields of between 0 and 5.3 T over the temperature range 1.5--200 K. The oxidized, oxidized cyanide and partially reduced cyanide forms of the enzyme were studied. In the oxidized state only cytochrome a3+ is detectable by m.c.d. spectroscopy, and its magnetization characteristics show it to be a low-spin ferric haem. In the partially reduced cyanide form of the enzyme cytochrome a is in the diamagnetic low-spin ferrous form, whereas cytochrome a3--CN is e.p.r.-detectable and gives an m.c.d.-magnetization curve typical of a low-spin ferric haem. In the oxidized cyanide form of the enzyme both cytochrome a and cytochrome a3--CN are detectable by m.c.d. spectroscopy, although only cytochrome a gives an e.p.r. signal. The magnetization characteristics of haem a3--CN show clearly that its ground state is an electronic doublet and that another state, probably a spin singlet, lies greater than 10 cm-1 above this. These features are well accounted for by an electronic state of spin S = 1 with a predominantly axial distortion, which leaves the doublet, Ms = +/- 1, as the ground state and the component Ms = 0 as the excited state. This state would not give an e.p.r. signal. Such an electronic state could arise either from a ferromagnetic coupling between haem a3+(3)-CN and the cupric ion, Cua3, or form a haem in the Fe(IV) state.     

Purification and properties of the assimilatory nitrite reductase from barley Hordeum vulgare leaves.

The magnetic-circular-dichroism (m.c.d.) spectra of oxidized 'resting' bovine cytochrome c oxidase and the cyanide-inhibited form are reported at 5.15 T and at 4.2 K along with m.c.d. magnetization curves plotted at selected wavelengths. In both spectra there are features at 790nm and 1564nm due to Cua and haem a respectively, the e.p.r.-detectable components of the enzyme. There is a new peak at 1946nm only in the spectrum of the cyanide-inhibited enzyme. Arguments are advanced that assign this to low-spin ferric haem a3 bridged to Cua3, thereby forming a ferromagnetically coupled pair of metal ions.     

Near-infrared magnetic and natural circular dichroism of cytochrome c oxidase.

A detailed study is presented of the room-temperature absorption, natural and magnetic circulation-dichroism (c.d. and m.c.d.) spectra of cytochrome c oxidase and a number of its derivatives in the wavelength range 700-1900 nm. The spectra of the reduced enzyme show a strong negative c.d. band peaking at 1100nm arising from low-spin ferrous haem a and a positive m.c.d. peak at 780nm assigned to high-spin ferrous haem a3. Addition of cyanide ion doubles the intensity of the low-spin ferrous haem c.d. band and abolishes reduced carbonmonoxy derivative the haem a32+-CO group shows no c.d. or m.c.d. bands at wavelengths longer than 700nm. A comparison of the m.c.d. spectra of the oxidized and cyanide-bound oxidized forms enables bands characteristic of the high-spin ferric form of haem a33+ to be identified between 700 and 1300nm. At wavelengths longer than 1300nm a broad positive m.c.d. spectrum, peaking at 1600nm, is observed. By comparison with the m.c.d. spectrum of an extracted haem a-bis-imidazole complex this m.c.d. peak is assigned to one low-spin ferric haem, namely haem a3+. On binding of cyanide to the oxidized form of the enzyme a new, weak, m.c.d. signal appears, which is assigned to the low-spin ferric haem a33+-CN species. A reductive titration, with sodium dithionite, of the cyanide-bound form of the enzyme leads to a partially reduced state in which low-spin haem a2+ is detected by means of an intense negative c.d. peak at 1100 nm and low-spin ferric haem a33+-CN gives a sharp positive m.c.d. peak at 1550nm. The c.d. and m.c.d. characteristics of the 830nm absorption band in oxidized cytochrome c oxidase are not typical of type 1 blue cupric centres.     

Low-spin ferric forms of cytochrome a3 in mixed-ligand and partially reduced cyanide-bound derivatives of cytochrome c oxidase.

Optical-absorption-, e.p.r.- and m.c.d. (magnetic-circular-dichroism)-spectroscopic measurements were made on liganded derivatives of oxidized and partially reduced cytochrome c oxidase. When NO was added to oxidized cyanide-bound cytochrome c oxidase, no changes occurred in the optical-absorption difference spectrum. In contrast, NO induced reduction of cytochrome a3 and formation of the nitrosylferrohaem species when the oxidized resting enzyme was the starting material. E.p.r. spectroscopy of the NO-treated oxidized cyanide-bound enzyme revealed the presence of a low-spin haem signal at g = 3.40, whereas the g = 3.02 and g = 2.0 signals of the oxidized enzyme remained unchanged. Both haem groups in this species are e.p.r.-detectable simultaneously. Examination of an identical sample by m.c.d. spectroscopy in the near-i.r. region identified two distinct low-spin species at 1565 and 1785 nm. Irradiation with white light of the NO-treated cyanide-bound sample at 10K resulted in the disappearance of the g = 3.40 e.p.r. signal and the m.c.d. signal at 1785 nm, whereas a band at 1950nm increased in intensity. When the photolysed sample was warmed to 50K and held in the dark for 15 min, the original spectrum returned. Magnetization studies of the 1785nm m.c.d. band support the assignment of this signal to the same metal centre that gives rise to the g = 3.40 e.p.r. signal. The effect of NO on the oxidized cyanide-bound enzyme was compared with that obtained when the oxidized cyanide-bound species was taken to the partially reduced state. Cytochrome a3 is e.p.r.-detectable with a g-value of 3.58 [Johnson, Eglinton, Gooding, Greenwood & Thomson (1981) Biochem. J. 193, 699-708]. Its near-i.r. m.c.d. spectrum shifts from 1950nm in the oxidized cyanide-bound enzyme to 1545nm on addition of reductant. A scheme is advanced for the structure of the cytochrome a3-CuB site that allows for cyanide binding to Fea3 and NO binding to CuB. Cyanide is the bridging ligand in the ferromagnetically coupled cytochrome a3-CuB pair of oxidized cyanide-bound cytochrome c oxidase. The bridged structure and the magnetic interaction are broken when the enzyme is partially reduced. However, when NO binds to CuB the cyanide bridge remains intact, but now the odd spins of NO and CuB are magnetically coupled.     

Purification and properties of formate dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Characterization of haem and iron-sulphur centres by magnetic-circular-dichroism and electron-paramagnetic-resonance spectroscopy.

The purification of formate dehydrogenase (FDH) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa after anaerobic growth on nitrate-containing medium was carried out. The separation of the FDH enzyme from nitrate reductase (NiR), which are found together in a particle fraction and constitute the short respiratory chain of this bacterium, has been followed by optical, magnetic c.d. (m.c.d.) and e.p.r. spectroscopy. These techniques have allowed the haem, iron-sulphur clusters and molybdenum components to be detected and, in part, their nature to be determined. Attempts to extract FDH anaerobically in the absence of sodium dithionite led to loss of activity. Addition of sodium dithionite maintained the activity of the enzyme, even after subsequent exposure to air, in an assay involving formate reduction with Nitro Blue Tetrazolium as reductant. Three preparations of FDH have been examined spectroscopically. The preparations vary in the amount of contaminating nitrate reductase, the amount of cytochrome c present and the concentration of oxidized [3Fe-4S] cluster. Optical spectra and low-temperature m.c.d. spectroscopy show the loss of a cytochrome-containing protohaem IX co-ordinated by methionine and histidine as NiR is separated from the preparation. In its purest state FDH contains one molecule of cytochrome co-ordinated by two histidine ligands in the oxidized state. This cytochrome has an e.p.r. spectrum with gz = 3.77, the band having the unusual ramp shape characteristic of highly anisotropic low-spin ferric haem. It also shows a charge-transfer band of high intensity in the m.c.d. spectrum at 1545 nm. It has recently been shown [Gadsby & Thomson (1986) FEBS Lett. 197, 253-257] that these spectroscopic properties are diagnostic of a bishistidine co-ordinated haem with steric constraint of the axial ligands. The e.p.r. and m.c.d. spectra of the reduced state of FDH reveal the presence of an iron-sulphur cluster of the [4Fe-4S]+ type. The g-values are 2.044, 1.943 and 1.903. An iron-sulphur cluster of the class [3Fe-4S], detected by e.p.r. spectroscopy in the oxidized state and by low-temperature m.c.d. spectroscopy in the reduced state, is purified away with the NiR. Finally, an e.p.r. signal at g = 2.0 with a narrow bandwidth which persists to 80 K is observed in the purest preparation of FDH. This may arise from an organic radical species.     

Variable-temperature magnetic-circular-dichroism spectra of cytochrome c oxidase and its derivatives

A detailed study of the effect of temperature on the m.c.d. (magnetic circular dichroism) spectra of cytochrome c oxidase and some of its derivatives was undertaken to characterize the spin states of haem a and a(3). The fully reduced enzyme contains haem a(3) (2+) in its high-spin form and haem a(2+) in the low-spin state. This conclusion is reached by comparing the spectrum with that of the mixed-valence CO derivatives and its photolysis product. The cyanide derivative of the fully reduced enzyme contains both haem a and a(3) in the low-spin ferrous form. The m.c.d. spectra of the fully oxidized derivatives are consistent with the presence of one low-spin ferric haem group, assigned to a, which remains unaltered in the presence of ligands. Haem a(3) is high spin in the resting enzyme and the fluoride derivatives, and low spin in the cyanide form. The partially reduced formate and cyanide derivatives have temperature-dependent m.c.d. spectra due to the presence of high- and low-spin haem a(3) (3+) respectively. Haem a is low-spin ferrous in both. A comparison of the magnitude of the temperature-dependence of haem a(3) (3+) in the fully oxidized and partially reduced forms shows a marked difference which is tentatively ascribed to the presence of anti-ferromagnetic coupling in the fully oxidized form of the enzyme, and to its absence from the partially reduced derivatives, owing to the reduction of both Cu(2+) ions.     

Some magnetic properties of Pseudomonas cytochrome oxidase.

The magnetic properties of the haem groups of Pseudomonas cytochrome oxidase and its cyanide-bound derivatives were studied in both the oxidized and reduced states by means of m.c.d. (magnetic circular dichroism) at low temperatures. In addition, the oxidized forms of the enzyme were also investigated by e.p.r. (electron-paramagnetic-resonance) spectroscopy, and a parallel study, using both e.p.r. and m.c.d., was made on Pseudomonas cytochrome c-551 to aid spectral assignments. For ascorbate-reduced Pseudomonas cytochrome oxidase, the temperature-independence of those features in the m.c.d. spectrum corresponding to the haem c, and the temperature-dependence of those signals corresponding to the haem d1, showed the former to be low-spin and the latter to be high-spin (s = 2). However, addition of cyanide to the reduced enzyme gave a form of the protein that was completely low-spin. The e.p.r. and m.c.d. sectra of oxidized Pseudomonas cytochrome oxidase and its cyanide derivative were consistent with the haem c and d1 components being low-spin in both cases. Pseudomonas cytochrome c-551 was found to be low-spin in both its oxidized and reduced redox states.     

An investigation of the ligand-binding properties of Pseudomonas aeruginosa nitrite reductase.

The low-temperature e.p.r. and m.c.d. (magnetic-circular-dichroism) spectra of Pseudomonas aeruginosa nitrite reductase, together with those of its partially and fully cyanide-bound derivatives, were investigated. The m.c.d. spectra in the range 600-2000 nm indicate that the native axial ligands to haem c are histidine and methionine, and furthermore that it is the methionine ligand that must be displaced before cyanide binding at this haem. The m.c.d. spectra in the range 1000-2000 nm contain no charge-transfer bands arising from low-spin ferric haem d1, a chlorin. New optical transitions in the region 700-850 nm were found for the cyanide adduct of haem d1. The g-values of haem d1 in the native enzyme are 2.51, 2.43 and 1.71, suggesting co-ordination by two histidine ligands in the oxidized state. There is clear evidence in the e.p.r. data of an interaction between the c and d1 haem groups. This is not apparent in the optical spectra. The results are interpreted in terms of haem groups that are remote from each other, their interaction being mediated through protein conformational changes. The possible implications of this in relation to reduction processes catalysed by the enzyme are considered.     

Redox-linked spin-state changes in the di-haem cytochrome c-551 peroxidase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Magnetic-c.d., e.p.r. and optical-absorption spectra are reported for the half-reduced form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cytochrome c-551 peroxidase, a di-haem protein, and its fluoride derivative. Comparison of this enzyme species with oxidized peroxidase shows the occurrence of spin-state changes at both haem sites. The high-potential haem changes its state from partially high-spin to low-spin upon reduction. This is linked to a structural alteration at the ferric low-potential haem group, causing it to change from low-spin to high-spin. Low-temperature spectra demonstrate photolysis of an endogenous ligand of the high-potential haem. In addition, an inactive form of enzyme is examined in which the structural change at the ferric low-potential haem does not occur on reduction of the high-potential haem.     

Characterization of the low-temperature intermediates of the reaction of fully reduced soluble cytochrome oxidase with oxygen by electron-paramagnetic-resonance and optical spectroscopy.

The reaction of fully reduced soluble bovine heart cytochrome oxidase with O2 at 173K was investigated by low-temperature optical and e.p.r. spectroscopy, and the kinetics of the reaction were analysed by non-linear optimization techniques. The only e.p.r. signals seen during the course of the reaction are those attributable to low-spin cytochrome a3+ and CuA2+. Quantitative analysis of e.p.r. signals shows that, at the end point of the reaction at 173K, nearly 100% of CuA is in the cupric state but only about 40% of cytochrome a is in the ferric low-spin state. The optical spectra recorded at this stage of the reaction show incomplete oxidation of haem and the absence of a 655 nm absorption band. The only reaction scheme that accounts for both the e.p.r. and optical data is a four-intermediate mechanism involving a branching pathway. The reaction is initiated when fully reduced cytochrome oxidase reacts with O2 to form intermediate I. This is then converted into either intermediate IIA or intermediate IIB. Of these, intermediate IIB is a stable end product at 173 K, but intermediate IIA is converted into intermediate III, which is the stable state at 173 K in this branch of the mechanism. The kinetic analysis of the e.p.r. data allows the unambiguous assignments of the valence states of cytochrome a and CuA in the intermediates. Intermediate I contains cytochrome a2+ and CuA+, intermediate IIA contains low-spin cytochroma a3+ and CuA+, intermediate IIB contains cytochrome a2+ and CuA2+, and intermediate III contains low-spin cytochrome a3+ and CuA2+. The electronic state of the O2-binding CuBa3 couple during the reoxidation of cytochrome oxidase is discussed in terms of an integrated structure containing CuB, cytochrome a3 and O2.     

Cytochrome c'''' isolated from Methylophilus methylotrophus. An example of bis-histidine-co-ordinated Fe3+ haem, with near-perpendicular orientation of the ligands.

Cytochrome c' (Methylophilus methylotrophus) is a soluble protein, Mr 15,000, possessing one haem which is high-spin in the reduced state but switches to a low-spin form on oxidation. Low-temperature electron-paramagnetic-resonance spectroscopy of the oxidized state shows a low-spin signal at gz = 3.65 with a folded line-shape typical of a haem of low rhombicity, and the near-infrared magnetic-circular-dichroism (m.c.d.) spectra reveal an unusually intense (delta epsilon = 400 M-1.cm-1 at 5 T, 4.2 K) charge-transfer band at 1560 nm, establishing that the oxidized haem is co-ordinated by two His residues in a near-perpendicular orientation. This conformation is well established for transmembrane b cytochromes, but this appears to be the first example in a water-soluble cytochrome. The low-temperature m.c.d. spectra of the reduced form of the protein confirms that the haem contains a high-spin Fe2+ ligated by one His residue. The redox-linked spin-state change releases a His group. Since this residue is likely to bind a proton at pH values less than 6.5, this cytochrome may provide a useful model of a molecular mechanism of a redox-linked proton uptake and release process.     

NMR and electron-paramagnetic-resonance studies of a dihaem cytochrome from Pseudomonas stutzeri (ATCC 11607) (cytochrome c peroxidase)

A dihaem cytochrome (Mr 37 400) with cytochrome c peroxidase activity was purified from Pseudomonas stutzeri (ATCC 11 607). The haem redox potentials are far apart: one of the haems is completely ascorbate-reducible and the other is only reduced by dithionite. The coordination, spin states and redox properties of the covalently bound haems were probed by visible, NMR and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies in three oxidation states. In the oxidized state, the low-temperature EPR spectrum of the native enzyme is a complex superimposition of three components: (I) a low-spin haem indicating a histidinyl-methionyl coordination; (II) a low-spin haem indicating a histidinyl-histidinyl coordination; and (III) a minor high-spin haem component. At room temperature, NMR and optical studies indicate the presence of high-spin and low-spin haems, suggesting that for one of the haems a high-spin to low-spin transition is observed when temperature is decreased. In the half-reduced state, the component I (high redox potential) of the EPR spectrum disappears and induces a change in the g-values and linewidth of component II; the high-spin component II is no longer detected at low temperature. Visible and NMR studies reveal the presence of a high-spin ferric and a low-spin (methionyl-coordinated) ferrous state. The NMR data fully support the haem-haem interaction probed by EPR. In the reduced state, the NMR spectrum indicates that the low-potential haem is high-spin ferrous.     

The formation of ferric haem during low-temperature photolysis of horseradish peroxidase Compound I.

Illumination at low temperature of the peroxide compound of horseradish peroxidase (HRP-I) causes partial conversion of the haem electronic structure from a ferryl-porphyrin radical species into a low-spin ferric state. Magnetic-c.d. (m.c.d.) and e.p.r. spectral features of the photolysis product are almost identical with those of the alkaline form of ferric HRP, proposed on the basis of its near-i.r. m.c.d. spectrum to be a Fe(III)-OH species. The ferric product of HRP-I photolysis also contains free-radical e.p.r. signals. Conversion of HRP-I into the Fe(III)-OH species, which requires transfer of a proton and two electrons from the protein, is shown to be a two-step process.     

EPR studies of the photodissociation reactions of cytochrome c oxidase-nitric oxide complexes

Three complexes of NO with cytochrome c oxidase are described which are all photodissociable at low temperatures as measured by EPR. The EPR parameters of the cytochrome a2+(3)-NO complex are the same both in the fully reduced enzyme and in the mixed-valence enzyme. The kinetics of photodissociation of cytochrome a2+(3)-NO and recombination of NO with cytochrome a2+(3) (in the 30-70 K region) revealed no differences in structure between cytochrome a2+(3) in the fully reduced and the mixed-valence states. The action spectrum of the photodissociation of cytochrome a2+(3)-NO as measured by EPR has maxima at 595, 560 and 430 nm, and corresponds to the absorbance spectrum of cytochrome a2+(3)-NO. Photodissociation of cytochrome a2+(3)-NO in the mixed-valence enzyme changes the EPR intensity at g 3.03, due to electron transfer from cytochrome a2+(3) to cytochrome a3+. The extent of electron transfer was found to be temperature dependent. This suggests that a conformational change is coupled to this electron transfer. The complex of NO with oxidized cytochrome c oxidase shows a photodissociation reaction and recombination of NO (in the 20-40 K region) which differ completely from those observed in cytochrome a2+(3)-NO. The observed recombination occurs at a temperature 15 K lower than that found for the cytochrome a2+(3)-NO complex. The action spectrum of the oxidized complex shows a novel spectrum with maxima at 640 and below 400 nm; it is assigned to a Cu2+B-NO compound. The triplet species with delta ms = 2 EPR signals at g 4 and delta ms = 1 signals at g 2.69 and 1.67, that is observed in partially reduced cytochrome c oxidase treated with azide and NO, can also be photodissociated.     

The optical properties of CuA in bovine cytochrome c oxidase determined by low-temperature magnetic-circular-dichroism spectroscopy.

The visible-near-i.r.-region m.c.d. (magnetic-circular-dichroism) spectrum recorded at low temperature in the range 450-900 nm is reported for oxidized resting mammalian cytochrome c oxidase. M.c.d. magnetization curves determined at different wavelengths reveal the presence of two paramagnetic species. Curves at 576, 613 and 640 nm fit well to those expected for an x,y-polarized haem transition with g values of 3.03, 2.21 and 1.45, i.e. cytochrome a3+. The m.c.d. features at 515, 785 and 817 nm magnetize as a S = 1/2 paramagnet with average g values close to 2, and simulated m.c.d. magnetization curves obtained by using the observed g values of CuA2+, i.e. 2.18, 2.03 and 1.99, fit well to the experimental observations. The form of the m.c.d. magnetization curve at 466 nm is curious, but it can be explained if CuA2+ and cytochrome a3+ contribute with oppositely signed bands at this wavelength. By comparing the m.c.d. spectrum of the enzyme with that of extracted haem a-bisimidazole complex it has been possible to deconvolute the m.c.d. spectrum of CuA2+, which shows transitions throughout the spectral region from 450 to 950 nm. The m.c.d.-spectral properties of CuA2+ were compared with those of a well-defined type I blue copper centre in azurin isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The absolute intensities of the m.c.d. signals at equal fields and temperatures for CuA2+ are 10-20-fold greater than those for azurin. The optical spectrum of CuA2+ strongly suggests an assignment as a d9 ion rather than Cu(I) bound to a thiyl radical.     

Intramitochondrial positions of cytochrome haem groups determined by dipolar interactions with paramagnetic cations.

E.p.r.(electron-paramagnetic-resonance) spectra of the ferricytochromes were studied in normal and 'nickel-plated' pigeon heart mitochondria and pigeon heart submitochondrial particles. NiCL2 added to either mitochondria or particles was bound completely to the membranes, but none was transported across the vesicles. Hence, any perturbations of the haem e.p.r. spectra by Ni(II) should occur only for those cytochromes in close proximity to the exterior surface. Whenever Ni(II) can approach to within 1 nm of cytochrome haem. the consequent acceleration of the haem e.p.r. relaxation kinetics should elicit dipolar line broadening. Relaxation acceleration should also increase the incident power level required to saturate the haem e.p.r. signal. In pigeon heart mitochondria, at least three e.p.r. resonances, attributable in part to cytochromes c1, bK and br, are observed at gz=3.3 resonance. In these submitochondrial particles, the peak at gz=3.5 is missing, and the resonance at gz=3.6 resolves into two components, neither of which is sensitive to added Ni(ii). Addition of free haemin (ferric, a paramagnetic anion) to intact mitochondria elicits the same e.p.r. signal changes as does a preparation of submitochondrial particles. Saturation curves for cytochrome oxidase obtained for e.p.r. spectra of the high-spin form (g = 6) and the low-spin form (gz=3.1) also reveal no effect of Ni(II) on the haem e.p.r. relaxation in either mitochondria or inverted submitochondrial particles. Further, Ni(II) fails to alter the spectra or saturation properties of cytochrome c in either mitochondria or submitochondrial particles therefrom. Only with a 50-fold molar excess of Ni(II) can one accelerate the e.p.r. relaxation of cytochrome c in aqueous solution, although other more subtle types of magnetic interactions may occur between the cytochrome and either Ni(II) or ferricyanide. Addition of haemin to mitochondria likewise failed to alter the e.p.r. characteristics of either cytochrome c or cytochrome oxidase. The present observations strongly suggest that cytochromes bK, br and c1 reside on the exterior surface of the inner mitochondrial membrane. On the other hand, we find no positive evidence for the location of cytochrome c or cytochrome oxidase haem groups within 1 nm of either membrane surface. Because of possible shielding effects from the protein moieties, however, we cannot unequivocally assign the location of the haem groups to the membrane interior. The present results are not inconsistent with the observations of other investigators who used different techniques. However, it is clear that any model of energy coupling in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation must account for the positioning of all the b-c cytochrome haem groups on the outside.     

Mixed-valence cytochrome oxidase-formate complex. A steady-state intermediate.

At neutral pH, formate binds to the haem a3 component of cytochrome c oxidase to give a complex that reacts differently from the non-liganded enzyme with reducing agents. Addition of sodium dithionite to the formate complex leads directly to the formation of the fully reduced species, whereas reduction with ascorbate/tetramethylenephenylene-diamine can lead to the production of a mixed-valence species. The stability of this mixed-valence form was studied, and the species appears to represent a 'steady-state' situation that is stable only in the presence of an excess of O2 and reducing equivalents. Characterization of the mixed-valence complex by electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetic circular dichroism reveals the presence of reduced low-spin haem a together with reduced detectable copper and high-spin ferric haem a3.     

Spectroscopic studies of partially reduced forms of Wolinella succinogenes nitrite reductase

Reductive titrations of the dissimilatory hexa-haem nitrite reductase, Wolinella succinogenes, with methyl viologen semiquinone (MV) and sodium dithionite, have been followed at room temperature by absorption, natural (CD) and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopies and at liquid helium temperature by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and MCD spectroscopies. The nature of the reduced enzyme depends on the reductant employed. At room temperature a single high-spin ferrous haem, observed by MCD after reduction with MV, is absent from dithionite reduced samples. It is suggested that a product of dithionite oxidation becomes bound with high affinity to the reduced state of the enzyme causing the ferrous haem to become low-spin. The site occupied is likely to be the substrate binding haem. The course of the titration with MV at room temperature shows the reduction of high-spin ferric to high-spin ferrous haem. Since the EPR spectrum reveals the presence of an unusual high-low spin ferric haem pair in the oxidised state we propose that the active site of the enzyme is a novel haem pair consisting of one high (5-coordinate) and one low-spin (6 coordinate) haem, magnetically coupled and possibly bridged by a histidinate ligand.     

Identification of the ligand-exchange process in the alkaline transition of horse heart cytochrome c.

Magnetic-circular-dichroism (m.c.d.) spectra over the wavelength range 300-2000 nm at room temperature and at 4.2K of horse heart cytochrome c are reported at a series of pH values between 7.8 and 11.0, encompassing the alkaline transition. The effect of glassing agents on the e.p.r. spectrum at various pH values is also reported. Comparison of these results with spectra obtained for the n-butylamine adduct of soybean leghaemoglobin support the hypothesis that lysine is the sixth ligand in the alkaline form of horse heart cytochrome c. The m.c.d. and e.p.r. spectra of horse heart cytochrome c in the presence of 1-methylimidazole have also been examined. These studies strongly suggest that histidine-18, the proximal ligand of the haem, is the ionizing group that triggers the alkaline transition. Low-temperature m.c.d. and e.p.r. spectra are also reported for Pseudomonas aeruginosa cytochrome c551. It is shown that no ligand exchange takes place at the haem in this species over the pH range 6.0-11.3.     

Ligand-induced spectral changes in cytochrome c oxidase and their possible significance.

1. The spectral shifts induced on the binding of H2S to ferric cytochrome aa3 are similar to those induced by cyanide, reflecting a possible high- to low-spin state change in the a3 haem. Opposite shifts are seen with either formate or low azide concentrations, while high azide concentrations reverse the change induced at lower concentrations. The unusually high Soret band in the half-reduced sulphide-inhibited species (a2+a33+H2S) results from the superposition of cytochrome a2+ and cytochrome a33+H2S peaks. 2. The difference spectra in the visible region for cytochrome a2+ minus cytochrome a3+ obtained with four inhibitors (cytochrome a2+ a3+I minus minus a3+a33+I)are similar, except that azide and sulphide induce blue shifts of the alpha-peak. The trough in the Soret region for the azide complex is much deeper than that for the other complexes, suggesting changes in the cytochrome a33+HN3 centre on reduction of cytochrome a. 3. The "oxygenated" and "high-energy" forms of cytochrome aa3 both involve spectral changes at the a3 haem similar to the changes induced by cyanide and sulphide. The spectrum of partially reduced cytochrome aa3 in the presence of reductant and oxygen indicates the steady-state occurrence of appreciable levels of low-spin (oxygenated) cytochrome aa3. These may be important for energy conservation during the action of cytochrome aa3 in the intact mitochondrial membrane.