Inhibitory effect of α-tocopherol and its derivatives on bovine heart succinate-cytochrome c reductase

α-Tocopherol and its derivatives inhibit succinate-cytochrome c reductase activity at a concentration of 0.5 μmol/mg protein in 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, containing 0.4 % sodium cholate when α-tocopherol is predispersed in sodium cholate solution. The inhibitory site is located at the cytochrome b-c₁ region. Succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity of succinate-cytochrome c reductase was not impaired by treatment with α-tocopherol. The α-tocopherol-inhibited succinate-cytochrome c reductase activity can be reversed by the addition of ubiquinone and its analogs. When ubiquinone- and phospholipid-depleted succinate-cytochrome c reductase was treated with α-tocopherol followed by reaction with a fixed amount of 2,3-dimethoxy-6-methyl-5-(10-bromodecyl)-1,4-benzoquinone and phospholipid, the amount of α-tocopherol needed to express the maximal inhibition was only 0.3 μmol/mg protein. When ubiquinone- and phospholipid-depleted enzyme was treated with a given amount of α-tocopherol and followed by titration with 2,3-dimethoxy-6-methyl-5-(10-bromodecyl)-1,4-benzoquinone, restoration of activity was enhanced at low concentrations of ubiquinone analog, indicating that α-tocopherol can serve as an effector for ubiquinone. The maximal binding capacity of α-[¹⁴C]tocopherol, dispersed in 50 mM phosphate buffer containing 0.25% sodium cholate, pH 7.4, to succinate-cytochrome c reductase was shown to be 0.68 μmol/mg protein. A similar binding capacity, based on cytochrome b content, was observed in submitochondrial particles. Binding of α-tocopherol to succinate-cytochrome c reductase not only caused an inhibition of enzymatic activity but also caused a reduction of cytochrome c₁ in the absence of substrate, a phenomenon analogous to the removal of phospholipids from the enzyme preparation. Furthermore, binding of α-tocopherol to succinate-cytochrome c reductase decreased the rate of reduction of cytochrome b by succinate. Since electron transfer from succinate to ubiquinone was not affected by α-tocopherol treatment, the decrease in reduction rate of cytochrome b by succinate must be due to a change in environment around cytochrome b. These results as well as the fact that reactivation of α-tocopherol-inhibited enzyme requires only low concentrations of ubiquinone were used to explain the inhibitory effect as a result of a change in protein conformation and protein-phospholipid interaction rather than the direct displacement of ubiquinone by α-tocopherol. This deduction was further supported by the fact that no ubiquinone was released from succinate-cytochrome c reductase upon treatment with α-tocopherol.     

On the preparation and mössbauer properties of some heme peptides of cytochrome c

The preparations of a series of peptides derived from horse heart cytochrome c by proteolytic digestions are reported. The Mössbauer spectra of the hexa- and nonapeptides are reported here for the first time and compared with those of the undecapeptide and the parent cytochrome. The nona- and undecapeptides have Mössbauer spectra similar to that of ferricytochrome c and would appear to be useful models for the iron environment. As with free hemes, pyridine may act as a reducing agent, and thus we wish to record a caveat against the use of this compound during peptide preparation.     

Electrochemical analysis of the effect of Ca on cardiolipin–cytochrome c interaction

Mitochondrial Ca²⁺ has been considered a trigger for the release of cytochrome c, which is a critical and early event in the induction of cell apoptosis, although the molecular mechanism underlying this effect is still not fully understood. Here we investigate the interaction between cytochrome c and cardiolipin and the effect of Ca²⁺ on this interaction using electrochemical methods. Experimental results revealed that modification of cardiolipin onto the surface of a pyrolytic graphite electrode could lead to a rapid direct electron transfer of cytochrome c through the electrostatic interaction between the protein and the cardiolipin. Addition of Ca²⁺ to the test solution containing cytochrome c could cause the decrease of the redox peaks of the protein, and the peaks could be recovered when Ca²⁺ was chelated by ethylenediaminetetraacetate. The cardiolipin–cytochrome c interaction and the Ca²⁺ effect were also investigated with the variation of the charges of lipids, buffer solutions, reaction time, and valencies of cations for comparison.     

Cytochrome c6B of Synechococcus sp. WH 8102 – Crystal structure and basic properties of novel c6-like family representative

Cytochromes c are soluble electron carriers of relatively low molecular weight, containing single heme moiety. In cyanobacteria cytochrome c₆ participates in electron transfer from cytochrome b₆f complex to photosystem I. Recent phylogenetic analysis revealed the existence of a few families of proteins homologous to the previously mentioned. Cytochrome c_6A from Arabidopsis thaliana was identified as a protein responsible for disulfide bond formation in response to intracellular redox state changes and c₅₅₀ is well known element of photosystem II. However, function of cytochromes marked as c_6B, c_6C and c_M as well as the physiological process in which they take a part still remain unidentified. Here we present the first structural and biophysical analysis of cytochrome from the c_6B family from mesophilic cyanobacteria Synechococcus sp. WH 8102. Purified protein was crystallized and its structure was refined at 1.4 Å resolution. Overall architecture of this polypeptide resembles typical I-class cytochromes c. The main features, that distinguish described protein from cytochrome c₆, are slightly red-shifted α band of UV–Vis spectrum as well as relatively low midpoint potential (113.2 ± 2.2 mV). Although, physiological function of cytochrome c_6B has yet to be determined its properties probably exclude the participation of this protein in electron trafficking between b₆f complex and photosystem I.     

Isolation of Desulfuromonas acetoxidans cytochrome c-551.5 from the mixed culture ‘Chloropseudomonas ethylica’

The mixed culture ‘Chloropseudomonas ethylica’ strain 2K has been grown on a medium which enhanced the yield of cytochrome c-551.5 from Desulfuromonas acetoxidans. The cytochrome was purified to homogeneity and an isoelectric point of 8.40 was determined. A determination of the amide content indicated that the cytochrome contains two more amides than previously reported.     

Cytochrome c oxidase. Time dependence of optical and EPR spectral changes related to the ‘oxygen-pulsed’ form

Time-dependent changes in the optical spectrum (450–920 nm) of cytochrome c oxidase, following oxidation with oxygen of the stoichiometrically reduced form, have been investigated and where possible, attempts have been made to correlate our observations with variations in the EPR spectrum over a parallel time course at 2°C. In this regard, particular emphasis has been placed on establishing absorption features related to the presence of EPR resonances at g 5, 1.78 and 1.69, which have been tentatively assigned to a spin-coupled state involving cytochrome a₃ and ‘EPR-undetectable Cu’ (Beinert, H., Shaw, R.W., Dunham, R.W. and Sands, R.H. (1982) in Oxidases and Related Redox Systems (King, T.E., Mason, H.S. and Morrison, M., eds.), Pergamon Press, Oxford, in the press). For optical studies we have used a versatile rapid-scanning spectrophotometer to obtain well resolved spectra down to 2 ms reaction time. Concomitant with the appearance (within 10 ms) of EPR signals at g 5, 1.78 and 1.69 is the presence of an enhanced absorption (Δε = 0.25 mM (heme a)^?1·cm^?1) at 660 nm, with a trough (relative to following spectra) at 580 nm. In our hands, this feature disappears in a first-order process with a half-life of 46 s at pH 7.2 and 2°C. The effect of this spectral transformation is to decrease considerably the acuteness of the 655 nm absorption band, previously suggested as representing a state of the enzyme in which ferric cytochrome a₃ is coupled to oxidised EPR-undetectable Cu (Beinert, H., Hansen, R.E. and Hartzell, C.R. (1976) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 423, 339–355). This observation can be correlated satisfactorily with a small field shift of the high-field resonances at g 1.78 and 1.69 and a broadening at g 1.78. Support for this and further correlative assignments arises from parallel experiments using cytochrome c oxidase purified via an alternative procedure, which displays different kinetic behavior. Further transformations of the oxidized enzyme are evident through an approx. 10% decrease in absorbance at 600 nm together with small changes centered at 640 and 665 nm (which serve to restore the sharpness of the 655 nm band). The kinetics, as analyzed by the Guggenheim procedure using the absorbance at 597 nm, indicate approx. 50% first-order linearity (half-life 40 min) with additional species contributing at longer times, while over a parallel time course (0–3 h) the EPR resonances at g 5, 1.78 and 1.69 virtually disappear. These novel signals can also be seen at a lower intensity in samples of cytochrome c oxidase anaerobically reoxidized by porphyrexide and frozen after a 6 min incubation period at 4°C. This observation, along with the establishment of similar optical changes over the time course of 1 min to 3 h, suggests that aerobic and anaerobic reoxidation produce common forms of the enzyme. Comparison of the g 1.78 and 1.69 resonances between samples rapidly aerobically reoxidized in the presence of H₂¹⁶O and H₂¹⁷O yielded no evidence for the presence of any labile oxygen ligand (including OH^?, H₂O) in the coordination sphere of the species involved.     

pH Variation of midpoint potential for three photosynthetic bacterial cytochromes c′. A link between physical and functional properties

Midpoint redox potential (E_M) versus pH curves are reported over the pH range 5 to 10 for the cytochromes c′ from three species of purple photosynthetic bacteria: Rhodospirillum rubrum, Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Chromatium vinosum. In each case, theoretical curves are fitted to the data and pK values for the reduced (pH 5–5.5) and oxidized (pH 8–8.5) forms of the protein are found to influence the midpoint redox potentials. The oxidized form pK values in each case are found to correlate with previously determined pK values for variation in physical and/or spectroscopic properties. This correlation of functional and physical observables is discussed in terms of a possible mechanism of control of midpoint redox potential through heme iron-ligand bonding as moderated by the protein conformation in response to solution conditions. The reduced form pK values are discussed in terms of a mechanism which would alter the polarity of the heme environment, thereby influencing redox potentials.     

Structure–activity relationship for enantiomers of potent inhibitors of B. anthracis dihydrofolate reductase

Background: Bacterial resistance to antibiotic therapies is increasing and new treatment options are badly needed. There is an overlap between these resistant bacteria and organisms classified as likely bioterror weapons. For example, Bacillus anthracis is innately resistant to the anti-folate trimethoprim due to sequence changes found in the dihydrofolate reductase enzyme. Development of new inhibitors provides an opportunity to enhance the current arsenal of anti-folate antibiotics while also expanding the coverage of the anti-folate class. Methods: We have characterized inhibitors of B. anthracis dihydrofolate reductase by measuring the K_i and MIC values and calculating the energetics of binding. This series contains a core diaminopyrimidine ring, a central dimethoxybenzyl ring, and a dihydrophthalazine moiety. We have altered the chemical groups extended from a chiral center on the dihydropyridazine ring of the phthalazine moiety. The interactions for the most potent compounds were visualized by X-ray structure determination. Results: We find that the potency of individual enantiomers is divergent with clear preference for the S-enantiomer, while maintaining a high conservation of contacts within the binding site. The preference for enantiomers seems to be predicated largely by differential interactions with protein residues Leu29, Gln30 and Arg53. Conclusions: These studies have clarified the activity of modifications and of individual enantiomers, and highlighted the role of the less-active R-enantiomer in effectively diluting the more active S-enantiomer in racemic solutions. This directly contributes to the development of new antimicrobials, combating trimethoprim resistance, and treatment options for potential bioterrorism agents.     

En route to a genome-based classification of Archaea and Bacteria?

Given the considerable promise whole-genome sequencing offers for phylogeny and classification, it is surprising that microbial systematics and genomics have not yet been reconciled. This might be due to the intrinsic difficulties in inferring reasonable phylogenies from genomic sequences, particularly in the light of the significant amount of lateral gene transfer in prokaryotic genomes. However, recent studies indicate that the species tree and the hierarchical classification based on it are still meaningful concepts, and that state-of-the-art phylogenetic inference methods are able to provide reliable estimates of the species tree to the benefit of taxonomy. Conversely, we suspect that the current lack of completely sequenced genomes for many of the major lineages of prokaryotes and for most type strains is a major obstacle in progress towards a genome-based classification of microorganisms. We conclude that phylogeny-driven microbial genome sequencing projects such as the Genomic Encyclopaedia of Archaea and Bacteria (GEBA) project are likely to rectify this situation.     

Importance of spores and δ-endotoxin protein crystals of Bacillus thuringiensis in Galleria mellonella

Larvae of Galleria mellonella were fed on a honey-rich artificial food containing live spores or toxic crystals of Bacillus thuringiensis serotype V or various combinations of both. In this food; 1:1 combinations were 10 times more potent than live spores alone and about 10⁴ times more potent than crystals alone. Reduction in the proportion of spores, but not in that of crystals, decreased the slope of probit lines from 3.4 to 0.6. One or more factors in the spore are at least partly responsible for the potency of serotype V in G. mellonella. The results suggest than an observed gross loss of potency of this serotype in beehives is more likely to be due to death of spores than to deterioration of crystals. The reaction of G. mellonella to serotype V is nearest to that of a type 3 host species. Spores of serotype I are almost inactive in this host.     

Studies on the origin of the near-infrared (800–900 nm) absorption of cytochrome c oxidase

Data are presented which were collected in the course of the past ten years and bear on the correlation of absorbance at 800 nm and the EPR signal at g = 2 (‘copper signal’) of cytochrome c oxidase in various states of oxidation and ligation. Both EPR and optical reflectance spectra were obtained at low temperature (?170 to ?190°C). For some sets of samples spectra were recorded in the range 500–1100 nm. A particular effort was made to study this correlation with what are called ‘mixed valence’ states (Greenwood, C., Wilson, M.T. and Brunori, M. (1974) Biochem. J. 137, 205–215), when cytochrome a and the EPR-detectable copper are thought to be oxidized and the other components reduced and vice versa. These data show no evidence that the copper component of cytochrome oxidase which has so far not been detected by EPR makes a contribution to the absorption between 800 and 900 nm exceeding 10–15% of the total, which is close to or within the error of the respective measurements. For the various states of the oxidase examined in this work the 700–800 nm region did not appear to be more useful than the 800–900 nm region for determining the state of the EPR-undetectable copper in a reliable way. These conclusions are in agreement with results presented previously from other laboratories concerning the relationship of optical (approx. 800 nm) and EPR spectroscopic (g = 2) data obtained with the enzyme.     

Visual learning and memory of Drosophila melanogaster wild type CS and the mutants dunce1, amnesiac, turnip and rutabaga

Dunce¹, amnesiac, turnip and rutabaga, mutants of Drosophila melanogaster deficient in olfactory learning and/or memory, were tested for visual learning ability and memory. All these mutants are able to learn conditioned visual information, but not as well as the corresponding wildtype CS. Memory of all four mutants is reduced during the first 30 min after training, but indistinguishable from that of the wildtype two hours after conditioning.     

Electrochemistry of cytochrome c immobilized on cardiolipin-modified electrodes: A probe for protein–lipid interactions

Electrochemistry of cytochrome c (cyt c) immobilized on a cardiolipin (CL)/phosphatidylcholine (PC) film supported on a glassy carbon electrode was investigated using variable-frequency AC voltammetry. At low ionic strength, we observed two redox-active subpopulations characterized by distinct values of potential (E_1/2) and electron transfer rate constant (k_ET). At high ionic strength, only one subpopulation was detected, consistent with the existence of very stable cyt c–CL adducts, most probably formed by hydrophobic interactions between the protein and the fatty acid (FA) chains carried by CL. This subpopulation exhibits a comparatively high k_ET value (> 300 s^− 1) apparently changing with the structure of the FA chains of CL, i.e. 18:2(n − 6) or 14:0. Our study suggests that electrochemistry can be a useful technique for probing protein–lipid interactions, and more particularly the role played by the specific structure of the FA chains of CL on cyt c binding.     

Qualitative and quantitative determination of major saponins in Paris and Trillium by HPLC-ELSD and HPLC–MS/MS

High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) with evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) and HPLC with electrospray ionization multistage tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI-MSⁿ) were used to identify and quantify steroid saponins in Paris and Trillium plants. The content of the known saponins such as Paris I, II, III, V, VI, VII, H, gracillin and protodioscin in Paris and Trillium plants was determined simultaneously using the developed HPLC-ELSD method. Furthermore, other 12 steroid saponins were identified by HPLC–ESI(+/−)-MSⁿ detection. In the end, a developed analytical procedure was proved to be a reliable and rapid method for the quality control of Paris and Trillium plants. In addition, the alternative resources for Paris yunnanensis used as a traditional Chinese medicine were discovered according to the hierarchical clustering analysis of the saponin fraction of these plants.     

Asymmetric synthesis of (S)-ethyl-4-chloro-3-hydroxy butanoate using a Saccharomyces cerevisiae reductase: Enantioselectivity and enzyme–substrate docking studies

Ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxy butanoate (ECHB) is a building block for the synthesis of hypercholesterolemia drugs. In this study, various microbial reductases have been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Their reductase activities toward ethyl-4-chloro oxobutanoate (ECOB) have been assayed. Amidst them, Baker's yeast YDL124W, YOR120W, and YOL151W reductases showed high activities. YDL124W produced (S)-ECHB exclusively, whereas YOR120W and YOL151W made (R)-form alcohol. The homology models and docking models with ECOB and NADPH elucidated their substrate specificities and enantioselectivities. A glucose dehydrogenase-coupling reaction was used as NADPH recycling system to perform continuously the reduction reaction. Recombinant E. coli cell co-expressing YDL124W and Bacillus subtilis glucose dehydrogenase produced (S)-ECHB exclusively.     

Excitation relaxation dynamics and energy transfer in fucoxanthin–chlorophyll a/c-protein complexes,probed by time-resolved fluorescence

In algae, light-harvesting complexes contain specific chlorophylls (Chls) and keto-carotenoids; Chl a, Chl c, and fucoxanthin (Fx) in diatoms and brown algae; Chl a, Chl c, and peridinin in photosynthetic dinoflagellates; and Chl a, Chl b, and siphonaxanthin in green algae. The Fx–Chl a/c-protein (FCP) complex from the diatom Chaetoceros gracilis contains Chl c₁, Chl c₂, and the keto-carotenoid, Fx, as antenna pigments, in addition to Chl a. In the present study, we investigated energy transfer in the FCP complex associated with photosystem II (FCPII) of C. gracilis. For these investigations, we analyzed time-resolved fluorescence spectra, fluorescence rise and decay curves, and time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy data. Chl a exhibited different energy forms with fluorescence peaks ranging from 677 nm to 688 nm. Fx transferred excitation energy to lower-energy Chl a with a time constant of 300 fs. Chl c transferred excitation energy to Chl a with time constants of 500–600 fs (intra-complex transfer), 600–700 fs (intra-complex transfer), and 4–6 ps (inter-complex transfer). The latter process made a greater contribution to total Chl c-to-Chl a transfer in intact cells of C. gracilis than in the isolated FCPII complexes. The lower-energy Chl a received excitation energy from Fx and transferred the energy to higher-energy Chl a. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Photosynthesis Research for Sustainability: Keys to Produce Clean Energy.     

The light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b · protein complex of the green alga Acetabularia mediterranea isolation and characterization of two subunits

In the green alga Acetabularia mediterranea a light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b · protein complex of 67 000 daltons has been found which contains two polypeptide chains of 21 500 and 23 000 daltons. These two polypeptides were isolated on a preparative scale and were further characterized by several different methods. Both polypeptides proved to be very similar. While their amino acid and sugar compositions as well as their immunochemical properties were almost identical the tryptic peptides and the cyanogen bromide fragments of the two polypeptides revealed minor but significant differences. The 67 000-dalton chlorophyll a/b · protein complex and its two polypeptide components were compared to the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b · protein of higher plants.     

Electron flow into cytochrome c coupled with reactive oxygen species from the electron transport chain converts cytochrome c to a cardiolipin peroxidase: role during ischemia–reperfusion

Background

Cytochrome c (Cyt c) is a mobile component of the electron transport chain (ETC.) which contains a tightly coordinated heme iron. In pathologic settings, a key ligand of the cyt c's heme iron, methionine (Met₈₀), is oxidized allowing cyt c to participate in reactions as a peroxidase with cardiolipin as a target. Myocardial ischemia (ISC) results in ETC. blockade and increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We hypothesized that during ischemia–reperfusion (ISC-REP); ROS generation coupled with electron flow into cyt c would oxidize Met₈₀ and contribute to mitochondrial-mediated ETC. damage.

Methods

Mitochondria were incubated with specific substrates and inhibitors to test the contributions of ROS and electron flow into cyt c. Subsequently, cyt c and cardiolipin were analyzed. To test the pathophysiologic relevance, mouse hearts that underwent ISC-REP were tested for methionine oxidation in cyt c.

Results

The combination of substrate/inhibitor showed that ROS production and electron flux through cyt c are essential for the oxidation of methionine residues that lead to cardiolipin depletion. The content of cyt c methionine oxidation increases following ISC-REP in the intact heart.

Conclusions

Increase in intra-mitochondrial ROS coupled with electron flow into cyt c, oxidizes cyt c followed by depletion of cardiolipin. ISC-REP increases methionine oxidation, supporting that cyt c peroxidase activity can form in the intact heart.

General significance

This study identifies a new site in the ETC. that is damaged during cardiac ISC-REP. Generation of a neoperoxidase activity of cyt c favors the formation of a defective ETC. that activates signaling for cell death.