紫云英根瘤菌109菌株的氢氧化电子传递链

H_2还原减去O_2氧化的差示光谱显示424,522,552,560,603nm峰,鱼腾酮(反竞争性抑制),DBMIB,HQNO,抗霉素A,氰化钠和叠氮化钠(非竞争性抑制)明显抑制吸氢活性,表明细胞色素c,b和a分别参与氢氧化的电子传递。以Dixon作图来确定抑制剂在电子传递链中结合位点数目,鱼腾酮和DBMIB为单位点结合,HQNO和氰化物为双位点结合,HQNO所引起的部份抑制,可使对氰化钠敏感的结合位点消逝。鱼腾酮与HQNO同时存在时,其叠加或累积抑制效果表明,两种类型的细胞色素b参与氢氧化的电子传递,由H_2到O_2的电子传递于细胞色素b处分叉,对氰化物抑制敏感性也有所不同。     

硫化氢对低温胁迫下甜樱桃柱头和子房线粒体功能的影响

为探索低温胁迫下外源硫化氢(H₂S)对甜樱桃花的柱头和子房线粒体功能的影响,本研究以甜樱桃品种‘早大果’花枝为试材,在-2 ℃低温下喷施0.05 mmol·L^-1硫氢化钠(NaHS,H₂S供体)和15 μmmol·L^-1 次牛磺酸(HT、H₂S清除剂),测定柱头和子房线粒体中活性氧、抗氧化酶和线粒体膜通透性转换孔(MPTP)开放程度、膜流动性、膜电位和细胞色素(Cyt c/a)比值变化。结果表明: 低温胁迫导致线粒体内过氧化氢(H₂O₂)和丙二醛(MDA)含量显著增加,线粒体MPTP明显增大,膜流动性降低,膜电位和线粒体Cyt c/a吸光度比值、膜H⁺-ATPase活性显著下降,线粒体结构受到损伤。低温胁迫下,外施0.05 mmol·L^-1 NaHS可显著降低低温胁迫下柱头和子房线粒体H₂O₂和MDA含量,在较长时间内维持较高的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,减小线粒体MPTP开放程度,增强线粒体膜流动性,提高线粒体膜电位、Cyt c/a值和膜H⁺-ATPase活性;NaHS清除剂HT则抵消NaHS对上述参数的影响。综上所述,外源H₂S可以提高低温胁迫下甜樱桃柱头和子房线粒体抗氧化酶活性,减少H₂O₂和MDA积累,提高膜H⁺-ATPase活性,稳定线粒体膜结构和功能,进而缓解低温胁迫对花器官的伤害。     

气体甲醛胁迫对蚕豆保卫细胞中过氧化氢的积累和气孔导度及开度的影响

以蚕豆为材料,考察气体甲醛（HCHO）胁迫对保卫细胞H2O2积累和叶片气孔导度、开度的影响。结果表明:气体HCHO胁迫增加了叶片中H₂O₂的积累,荧光显微分析发现在较低浓度(0.2⁰.4μmol·L^-1)气体HCHO胁迫下,保卫细胞中增加的H₂O₂主要分布在细胞质中,高浓度(0.8¹.6μmol·L^-1)气体HCHO胁迫不仅增加保卫细胞质中H₂O₂的积累,而且显著增加叶绿体中H₂O₂的含量及积累H₂O₂的叶绿体数量,这说明在高浓度气体HCHO胁迫下蚕豆保卫细胞中增加的H₂O₂主要来源于叶绿体和细胞质。保卫细胞中H₂O₂积累的增加显著降低蚕豆的气孔导度和开度,从而导致蚕豆HCHO吸收效率下降。气体HCHO胁迫下叶片中抗氧化酶活性的变化可能是H₂O₂积累增加的主要原因,气体HCHO胁迫显著增强叶片中CAT和SOD的活性,但只有低浓度HCHO胁迫诱导叶片POD活性,叶片APX对HCHO胁迫很敏感,低浓度的气体HCHO对叶片APX活性都有显著的抑制作用。     

油桃花芽破眠过程中H2O2代谢与Ca2+转运的关系

利用化学测定法分析高温、单氰胺和TDZ 3种破眠处理对“曙光”油桃休眠花芽H₂O₂代谢的主要影响,利用非损伤微测技术检测H₂O₂对休眠芽Ca²⁺转运的影响,研究H₂O₂在芽休眠解除过程中的调控作用.结果表明： 在深休眠时期,高温和单氰胺处理均能诱导芽内H₂O₂含量升高和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性降低,并具有显著的破眠作用;TDZ对H₂O₂含量及CAT、过氧化物酶(POD)活性影响不大,破眠效果较差.休眠花芽原基组织钙通道活跃,对外源Ca²⁺呈吸收状态.外源H₂O₂可诱导休眠花芽原基组织Ca²⁺转运发生变化,低浓度H₂O₂降低Ca²⁺吸收速率,高浓度H₂O₂使组织对Ca²⁺的转运由吸收转变为释放.这表明休眠芽内H₂O₂信号和Ca²⁺信号相关联,通过诱导H₂O₂积累调控Ca²⁺信号可能在高温和单氰胺打破休眠的信号转导过程中起重要作用.     

雪衣藻叶绿素荧光特性及抗氧化系统对汞胁迫的响应

文章选用对汞(Hg)具有较强耐受性的雪衣藻(Chlamydomonas nivalis)为对象,探究藻细胞对汞胁迫的响应及其耐受机制。结果表明, Hg²⁺对藻细胞的胁迫具有明显的时间依赖的量效关系, 48h半数效应浓度EC₅₀为1.44 mg/L。与对照组相比, 1.0和1.5 mg/L Hg²⁺处理组能维持生长和光合活性; 2.0 mg/L Hg²⁺处理组生物量和色素含量在胁迫6h时无显著变化(P>0.05), 48h时均显著降低(P<0.05)。随着Hg²⁺浓度和暴露时间的增加,藻细胞最大光化学量子产率(F_v/F_m)、最大电子传递速率(ETR_max)、半饱和光强(I_k)及光能利用效率(α)均降低,OJIP快速荧光诱导动力学曲线和Q_A^-再氧化变化明显,光合电子传递受阻。Hg²⁺胁迫导致能量流的变化,藻细胞部分反应...     

外源亚精胺对盐碱胁迫下番茄幼苗根系线粒体功能的影响

为探讨外源亚精胺(Spd)对盐碱胁迫下番茄根系线粒体功能的影响,采用水培法,以耐性不同的两个番茄品种‘金棚朝冠’（耐盐型）和‘中杂9号’（敏感型）为试材,通过模拟盐碱生态条件(NaCl∶Na₂SO₄∶NaHCO₃∶Na₂CO₃=1∶9∶9∶1),结合叶面喷施外源0.25 mmol·L^-1Spd,研究盐碱胁迫8 d后Spd对番茄幼苗根系形态和根系线粒体功能的影响.结果表明： 盐碱胁迫下,两个品种番茄根系线粒体内H₂O₂和丙二醛（MDA）含量增加,线粒体膜通透性明显增大,流动性降低,膜电位、线粒体内细胞色素c/a(Cyt c/a)吸光度比值、膜H⁺-ATPase活性显著下降,使线粒体受到不同程度的损伤,从而抑制根系生长,且‘金棚朝冠’的上述指标变化幅度均小于‘中杂9号’.盐碱胁迫下,喷施外源Spd处理的两个品种根系线粒体H₂O₂和MDA含量显著降低,膜通透性减小、流动性增加,膜电位、线粒体内Cyt c/a吸光度比值、膜H⁺-ATPase活性显著提高,可有效缓解盐碱胁迫对番茄幼苗根系线粒体的伤害作用,且这种缓解作用在‘中杂9号’上的表现效果更佳.     

胞外H2O2及NADPH氧化酶参与了铜胁迫对植物细胞死亡的诱导

以烟草悬浮细胞BY-2(Nicotiana tabacum L.cv.Bright Yellow-2)为材料,探讨了在铜离子胁迫下植物细胞死亡发生过程中胞外H₂O₂及NADPH氧化酶所扮演的角色。实验结果表明,随着外源CuCl₂浓度的上升(从0~700 μmol·L^-1),细胞死亡水平不断上升,且胞外H₂O₂的水平也不断增加。在300 μmol·L^-1的CuCl₂诱导细胞死亡的过程中,加入H₂O₂清除剂N-N-二甲基硫脲(DMTU)降低了胞外CuCl₂胁迫下H₂O₂含量增加的同时也降低了细胞死亡水平的上升,这一观察表明了铜离子胁迫所导致的细胞死亡的发生和胞外H₂O₂的增加有关。进一步的研究表明,300 μmol·L^-1 CuCl₂的胁迫导致了NADPH氧化酶活性的显著性上升,而加入NADPH氧化酶的抑制剂（二亚苯基碘,DPI,)则降低了CuCl₂胁迫所导致的细胞死亡和胞外H₂O₂含量的上升。上述结果表明,胞外H₂O₂和NADPH氧化酶参与了CuCl₂对植物细胞死亡的诱导作用。     

外源H2O2对盐碱混合胁迫下裸燕麦幼苗生长和抗性生理的影响

为探讨信号分子过氧化氢（H₂O₂）增强裸燕麦盐碱耐性的作用及其生理机制,以裸燕麦品种‘定莜6号’为材料,在日光温室内用珍珠岩培养幼苗至三叶一心期时叶面喷施0.01 mmol·L^-1 H₂O₂的同时根部浇灌75 mmol·L^-1盐碱混合溶液（NaCl：Na₂SO₄：NaHCO₃：Na₂CO₃=12：8：9：1）或添加H₂O₂淬灭剂二甲基硫脲（DMTU）,研究对幼苗生长及叶片光合色素含量、活性氧代谢和渗透调节物质积累的影响。结果表明：喷施H₂O₂能够缓解盐碱混合胁迫对裸燕麦幼苗生长的抑制,提高幼苗根长、株高和植株干重及叶片叶绿素a、叶绿素b、总叶绿素、类胡萝卜素含量和超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化物酶、过氧化氢酶、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶活性,降低超氧阴离子、H₂O₂、丙二醛、抗坏血酸、谷胱甘肽和游离氨基酸含量,促进抗氧化物质类黄酮、总酚和原花青素及渗透调节物质可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖和脯氨酸积累。添加DMTU部分或完全逆转了H₂O₂的上述作用。采用隶属函数综合评价显示,喷施H₂O₂提高了盐碱混合胁迫下裸燕麦幼苗的综合评价值D,添加DMTU完全逆转了H₂O₂对D值的提升作用。表明外源H₂O₂通过参与活性氧代谢和渗透调节物质积累等生理代谢调控缓解盐碱混合胁迫诱导的氧化伤害和生长抑制,从而提高裸燕麦对盐碱胁迫的适应能力。     

外源γ-氨基丁酸调控甜瓜叶绿体活性氧代谢应对短期盐碱胁迫

以甜瓜品种‘金辉1号’为试材,采用深液流水培法,研究外源γ 氨基丁酸(GABA)对短期盐碱胁迫下甜瓜幼苗叶绿体活性氧代谢的调控作用.结果表明: 盐碱胁迫显著提高了甜瓜叶绿体内光合色素、丙二醛(MDA)和过氧化氢(H₂O₂)含量及超氧阴离子(O^-_·2)产生速率;增加抗坏血酸(AsA)和谷胱甘肽(GSH)等抗氧化物质含量;明显抑制H⁺-ATP酶(H⁺-ATPase)和H⁺ 焦磷酸酶(H⁺-PPiase)活性.外源叶面喷施GABA有效抑制了盐碱胁迫引起的叶绿体内O^-_·2、H₂O₂和MDA的积累,缓解了光合色素增加的趋势;显著提高SOD和AsA GSH循环各个酶的活性,增加了AsA和GSH库,降低了AsA/DHA和GSH/GSSH比值,增强了H⁺-ATPase和H⁺-PPiase 活性.表明外源GABA能加快叶绿体内活性氧代谢,促进AsA-GSH循环的运转,维持细胞膜的渗透性,进而缓解了盐碱胁迫引起的氧化伤害.     

胞外三磷酸腺苷对铅胁迫下植物细胞损伤和过氧化氢及其清除酶水平的调节

细胞外三磷酸腺苷（extracellular adenosine-5'-triphosphate）是植物细胞的重要信号分子。以烟草悬浮细胞BY-2（Nicotiana tabacum L.cv.Bright Yellow-2）为材料,探讨了胞外三磷酸腺苷对铅胁迫下细胞损伤、H₂O₂（过氧化氢）含量及H₂O₂清除酶活性的影响。结果显示,随着Pb（NO₃）₂浓度的不断提高（30~400 μmol·L^-1）,细胞外三磷酸腺苷含量呈现出逐渐下降的趋势,但胞内三磷酸腺苷含量及细胞的受损伤程度逐渐增大;同时,H₂O₂含量和过氧化氢酶的活性均有所上升,并在200 μmol·L^-1 Pb（NO₃）₂处理下达到最大值,而过氧化物酶的活性则不断降低。较之Pb（NO₃）₂胁迫下的细胞,对Pb（NO₃）₂胁迫的细胞加入外源三磷酸腺苷使得细胞受损伤程度显著降低,H₂O₂含量减少,过氧化氢酶活性减弱,而过氧化物酶活性增强。实验结果表明,Pb（NO₃）₂胁迫诱导的植物细胞损伤和H₂O₂及其清除酶水平的变化能受到细胞外三磷酸腺苷水平的调节。     

Involvement of cytochromes and a flavoprotein in hydrogen oxidation in Rhizobium japonicum bacteroids.

Electron transport components involved in H2 oxidation were studied in membranes from Rhizobium japonicum bacteroids. Hydrogen oxidation in membranes was inhibited by antimycin A and 2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide with Ki values of 39.4 and 5.6 microM, respectively. The inhibition of H2 uptake by cyanide was triphasic with Ki values of 0.8, 9.9, and 93.6 microM. This result suggested that three cyanide-reactive components were involved in H2 oxidation. H2-reduced minus O2-oxidized absorption difference spectra showed peaks at 551.5 and 560 nm, indicating the involvement of c- and b-type cytochromes, respectively. This spectrum also revealed a trough at 455 nm, showing that H2 oxidation involves a flavoprotein. This flavoprotein was not reduced by H2 in the presence of cyanide. The inhibition of H2 or cytochrome c oxidation by the flavoprotein inhibitor Atebrin was monophasic; the Ki values were similar for both substrates. A role for the flavoprotein as a terminal oxidase was implicated based on its high redox potential and its sensitivity to cyanide. Cytochromes o and c-552 were identified based on their ability to bind carbon monoxide and cyanide.     

The electron transport system of Acetobacter suboxydans with particular reference to cytochrome o

1. The nature and distribution of the electron transport system of Acetobacter suboxydans (ATCC 621) has been investigated, with particular reference to cytochrome o.

2. A highly active membrane-bound electron transport system has been demonstrated, and functional roles suggested for ubiquinone, two c-type cytochromes ( peaks at 549 and 553 nm at — 196°), and two b-type cytochromes ( peaks at 558 and 564 nm at — 196°).

3. Evidence is presented suggesting that both the b-type cytochromes may be terminal oxidases of the cytochrome o type, and that cytochrome o (558) has an O₂ affinity approx. 10 times greater than cytochrome o (565), and a CO affinity only half as great.     

The b-type cytochromes of bovine heart mitochondria: Absorption spectra, enzymatic properties, and distribution in the electron transfer complexes

1. 1. Three b-type cytochromes (b_557.5, b₅₆₀, and b_562.5), plus a chromophore with an absorption peak at 558 nm at 77 °K, have been found to be associated with the electron transport system of bovine heart mitochondria. The reduced minus oxidized spectra of these components at 77 °K, as well as that of cytochrome c₁, have been recorded with a wavelength accuracy of ± 0.1 nm and presented to the nearest 0.5 nm. All the major and β absorption peaks of cytochromes b_557.5, b₅₆₀, b_562.5, c₁ and c have been shown by fourth derivative analysis to be present in the dithionite-reduced minus oxidized spectra of mitochondria and submitochondrial particles.

2. 2. The distribution of the above components has been studied in the four electron transfer complexes of the respiratory chain. Cytochromes b₅₆₀, b_562.5 and c₁, as well as chromophore-558, were found to fractionate into Complex III (reduced ubiquinone-cytochrome c reductase), whereas cytochrome b_557.5 was found in Complex II (succinate-ubiquinone reductase).

3. 3. Cytochrome b₅₆₀ was readily reduced by NADH or succinate, but b_562.5 was not reduced by substrates unless the preparation was treated with antimycin A. In antimycin-treated preparations pre-reduction of c₁ with ascorbate inhibited the subsequent reduction of b_562.5 by substrates. These results indicate that b₅₆₀ and b_562.5 correspond, respectively, to b_K and b_T previously described by Chance et al.¹⁴ (1970, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 66, 1175–1182).

4. 4. Similar to b₅₆₀, chromophore-558 can be reduced by substrates in the absence or presence of antimycin A. However, in antimycin-treated preparations, pre-reduction of c₁ inhibits its subsequent reduction by substrates. This property is similar to that of b_562.5.

5. 5. Cytochrome b_557.5, which occurs in Complex II, appears to have a low mid-point potential. It can be reduced with dithionite and oxidized by fumarate or ubiquinone. CO treatment of dithionite-reduced b_557.5 neither modified the spectrum of this cytochrome nor diminished the extent of b_557.5 reoxidation by fumarate.

6. 6. Antimycin A treatment does not appear to alter the spectra of the above cytochromes. However, small amounts (< 4%) of ethanol or methanol, which are usually added to particles as solvent for antimycin A, have a pronounced effect on the peaks of cytochrome c₁. The spectrum of cytochrome c₁ at 77 °K as modified by 3% (v/v) ethanol is shown.

Electrospray mass spectrometry of trans-[Ru(NO)Cl(dpaH)2] (dpaH=2,2′-dipyridylamine) and ‘caged NO’, [RuCl3(NO)(H2O)2]: loss of HCl and NO from positive ions versus NO and Cl from negative ions

The positive ion electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) of trans-[Ru(NO)Cl)(dpaH)₂]Cl₂ (dpaH=2,2′-dipyridylamine), obtained from the carrier solvent of H₂O–CH₃OH (50:50), revealed 1+ ions of the formulas [Ru^II(NO⁺)Cl(dpaH)(dpa)]⁺ (m/z=508), [Ru^IIICl(dpaH)(dpa⁻)]⁺ (m/z=478), [Ru^II(NO⁺)(dpa)₂]⁺ (m/z=472), [Ru^III(dpa)₂]⁺ (m/z=442), originating from proton dissociation from the parent [Ru^II(NO⁺)Cl(dpaH)₂]²⁺ ion with subsequent loss of NO (17.4% of dissociative events) or loss of HCl (82.6% of dissociative events). Further loss of NO from the m/z=472 fragment yields the m/z=442 fragment. Thus, ionization of the NH moiety of dpaH is a significant factor in controlling the net ionic charge in the gas phase, and allowing preferential dissociation of HCl in the fragmentation processes. With NaCl added, an ion pair, {Na[Ru^II(NO)Cl(dpa)₂]}⁺ (m/z=530; 532), is detectable. All these positive mass peaks that contain Ru carry a signature ‘handprint’ of adjacent m/z peaks due to the isotopic distribution of ¹⁰⁴Ru, ¹⁰²Ru, ¹⁰¹Ru, ⁹⁹Ru, ⁹⁸Ru and ⁹⁶Ru mass centered around ¹⁰¹Ru for each fragment, and have been matched to the theoretical isotopic distribution for each set of peaks centered on the main isotope peak. When the starting complex is allowed to undergo aquation for two weeks in H₂O, loss of the axial Cl⁻ is shown by the approximately 77% attenuation of the [Ru^II(NO⁺)Cl(dpaH)(dpa)]⁺ ion, being replaced by the [Ru^II(NO⁺)(H₂O)(dpa)₂]⁺ (m/z=490) as the most abundant high-mass species. Loss of H₂O is observed to form [Ru^II(NO⁺)(dpa)₂]⁺ (m/z=472). No positive ion mass spectral peaks were observed for RuCl₃(NO)(H₂O)₂, ‘caged NO’. Negative ions were observed by proton dissociation forming [Ru^II(NO)Cl₃(H₂O)(OH)]⁻ in the ionization chamber, detecting the parent 1− ion at m/z=274, followed by the loss of NO as the main dissociative pathway that produces [Ru^IIICl₃(H₂O)(OH)]⁻ (m/z=244). This species undergoes reductive elimination of a chlorine atom, forming [Ru^IICl₂(H₂O)(OH)]⁻ (m/z=208). The ease of the NO dissociation is increased for the negative ions, which should be more able to stabilize a Ru^III product upon NO loss.     

Ca2+参与H2O2促进盐碱混合胁迫下燕麦种子的萌发和成苗

盐碱胁迫是制约作物高产优质的重要因素,Ca²⁺和H₂O₂作为信号分子参与作物逆境响应调节。为了解Ca²⁺是否参与H₂O₂对盐碱胁迫下植物种子萌发和成苗的调控,以燕麦（Avena nude）为试验材料,采用隶属函数分析方法,研究了胞外游离Ca²⁺螯合剂EGTA、质膜Ca²⁺通道阻断剂LaCl₃和液泡膜Ca²⁺释放抑制剂钌红（RR）与H₂O₂共处理对盐碱混合（NaCl：Na₂SO₄：NaHCO₃：Na₂CO₃=12：8：9：1）胁迫下种子萌发和成苗的影响。结果表明,25~200 mmol·L^-1盐碱混合胁迫显著抑制燕麦的种子萌发和成苗,抑制程度随浓度提高而增强;0.001~2 mmol·L^-1 H₂O₂能够促进燕麦种子的萌发和成苗,且0.5 mmol·L^-1 H₂O₂可以显著缓解75 mmol·L^-1盐碱混合胁迫对燕麦种子萌发和成苗的抑制作用;而EGTA、LaCl₃和RR均能消减H₂O₂对盐碱混合胁迫下燕麦种子萌发和成苗的促进作用。表明Ca²⁺参与H₂O₂促进盐碱混合胁迫下燕麦种子萌发和成苗的信号转导过程。     

Further studies on the NADH oxidase of the cytoplasmic membrane of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The cytoplasmic membrane of the H₃₇Ra strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been isolated free of cell wall.

These membrane preparations contain very small quantities of cytochromes c, b and cytochrome oxidase. The cytochrome c is not extracted by any method attempted. The cytochrome b is reducible only by dithionite and is believed not to be involved in the direct transfer of electrons during the oxidation of NADH by these preparations. The NADH oxidase activity of the membrane is inhibited by high concentrations of cyanide and also by 2-(n-heptyl)-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide (HQNO). The cytochrome oxidase of the membrane contains both cytochromes a and a₃ and is present in low concentrations relative to cytochrome c. The cytochrome a₃ component was identified by characteristic complexes with both CO and cyanide and shows a γ-band absorption maximum at a slightly lower wavelength than the cytochrome oxidase of mammalian mitochondria (442 nm vs. 445 nm). The functional activity of the cytochrome oxidase is indicated by the inhibition of reoxidation of reduced cytochromes c and a in the presence of cyanide.     

DNA Single Strand Breakage by H2O2 and Ferric or Cupric Ions: Its Modulation by Histidine

The role of histidine on DNA breakage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and ferric ions or by H₂O₂ and cupric ions was studied on purified DNA. L-histidine slightly reduced DNA breakage by H₂O₂ and Fe³⁺ but greatly inhibited DNA breakage by H₂O₂ and Cu²⁺. However, only when histidine was present, the addition of EDTA to H₂O₂ and Fe³⁺ exhibited a bimodal dose response curve depending on the chelator metal ratio. The enhancing effect of histidine on the rate of DNA degradation by H₂O₂ was maximal at a chelator metal ratio between 0.2 and 0.5, and was specific for iron. When D-histidine replaced L-histidine, the same pattern of EDTA dose response curve was observed. Superoxide dismutase greatly inhibited the rate of DNA degradation induced by H₂O₂, Fe³⁺, EDTA and L-histidine involving the superoxide radical.

These studies suggest that the enhancing effect of histidine on the rate of DNA degradation by H₂O₂ and Fe³⁺ is mediated by an oxidant which could be a ferrous-dioxygen-ferric chelate complex or a chelate-ferryl ion.     

Purification of a cytochrome aa3 terminal oxidase from protoplast membrane vesicles of Micrococcus luteus

Abstract A cytochrome aa₃ terminal oxidase was isolated from protoplast membrane vesicles of Micrococcus luteus grown under aerobic conditions. The purified complex showed similarities to cytochrome c oxidase (EC 1.9.3.1) of the electron transport chain of mitochondria and many prokaryotes. The enzyme was solubilized by subsequent treatment with the detergents CHAPS and n-dodecyl-β-d-maltoside and purified by ion-exchange chromatography using poly-L-lysine agarose and TMAE-fractogel-650 (S) columns, followed by hydroxyapatite chromatography. The purified complex is composed of two major subunits with apparent molecular masses of 54 and 32 kDa. After purification the isolated enzyme contains 12.1 nmol of heme A (mg protein)⁻¹ and exhibits absorption maxima at 424 nm and 598 nm in the oxidized state and at 442 nm and 599 nm in the reduced state. The CO-difference spectrum shows peaks at 428 and 590 nm which is indicative of heme a ₃, furthermore oxygen consumption was found to be sensitive to cyanide.     

Non-oxygen-forming pathways of hydrogen peroxide degradation by bovine liver catalase at low hydrogen peroxide fluxes

Heme catalases are considered to degrade two molecules of H₂O₂ to two molecules of H₂O and one molecule of O₂ employing the catalatic cycle. We here studied the catalytic behaviour of bovine liver catalase at low fluxes of H₂O₂ (relative to catalase concentration), adjusted by H₂O₂-generating systems. At a ratio of a H₂O₂ flux (given in μM/min^- 1) to catalase concentration (given in μM) of 10 min^- 1 and above, H₂O₂ degradation occurred via the catalatic cycle. At lower ratios, however, H₂O₂ degradation proceeded with increasingly diminished production of O₂. At a ratio of 1 min^- 1, O₂ formation could no longer be observed, although the enzyme still degraded H₂O₂. These results strongly suggest that at low physiological H₂O₂ fluxes H₂O₂ is preferentially metabolised reductively to H₂O, without release of O₂. The pathways involved in the reductive metabolism of H₂O₂ are presumably those previously reported as inactivation and reactivation pathways. They start from compound I and are operative at low and high H₂O₂ fluxes but kinetically outcompete the reaction of compound I with H₂O₂ at low H₂O₂ production rates. In the absence of NADPH, the reducing equivalents for the reductive metabolism of H₂O₂ are most likely provided by the protein moiety of the enzyme. In the presence of NADPH, they are at least in part provided by the coenzyme.