Midpoint potentials of the mitochondrial cytochromes of Crithidia fasciculata.

The midpoint potentials of the mitochondrial respiratory chain cytochromes of the protozoan Crithidia fasciculata at pH 7.2, Em7.2, show great similarity to those measured in higher organisms. Values of Em7.2 for cytochromes a and a3 are +165 and +340 mV. Both c cytochromes have Em7.2 = +230 mV. There are two b cytochromes with the same spectral characteristics with Em7.2 = -20 and -135 mV. These values are compatible with two sites of energy conservation for oxidative phosphorylation in these mitochondria. All cytochrome components show potentiometric titrations with n = 1. There is a fluorescent flavoprotein in these mitochondria with Em7.2 = -40 mV and n =2, whose function is not known.     

Spectral and potentiometric analysis of cytochromes from Bacillus subtilis

Bacillus subtilis cytoplasmic membranes contain several cytochromes which are linked to the respiratory chain. At least six different cytochromes have been separated and identified by ammonium sulphate fractionation and ion-exchange chromatography. They include two terminal oxidases with CO-binding properties and cyanide sensitivity. One of these is an aa3-type cytochrome c oxidase which has characteristic absorption maxima in the reduced-oxidized difference spectrum at 601 nm in the alpha-band and at 443 nm in the Soret band regions. In the alpha-band two separate electron transitions with Em = +205 mV and Em = +335 mV can be discriminated by redox potentiometric titration. The other CO-binding cytochrome c oxidase contains two cytochrome b components with alpha-band maxima at 556 nm and 559 nm. Cytochrome b556 can be reduced by ascorbate and has an Em + +215 mV, whereas cytochrome b559 has an Em = +140 mV. Furthermore a complex consisting of a cytochrome b564 (Em = +140 mV) associated with a cytochrome c554 (Em = +250 mV) was found. This cytochrome c554, which can be reduced by ascorbate, appears to have an asymmetrical alpha-peak and stains for heme-catalyzed peroxidase activity on SDS-containing polyacrylamide gels. A protein with a molecular mass of about 30 kDa is responsible for this activity. A cytochrome b559 (Em = +65 mV) appears to be an essential part of succinate dehydrogenase. Finally a cytochrome c550 component with an apparent mid-point potential of Em = +195 mV has been detected.     

Analysis of the spectra and redox properties of pure cytochromes aa3.

The findings in the current studies with pure cytochrome aa3 confirm the findings in an accompanying paper pertaining to cytochrome aa3 in mitochondria (Reddy et al., 1985). In both cases, three Nernstian titrations are seen with Em values near 200, 260, 340 mV with n values of 2, 2, and 1. Similarly, the alpha absorption features of the difference spectra in both cases were centered near 602, 605, and 607 mn. The component with Em approximately 200 mV was identified as heme a3 on the basis of experiments conducted in an atmosphere of carbon monoxide, and in both cases, the carbon monoxide-liganded species did not display an elevated Em. In the current studies, unique Soret absorbance features are added to the difference spectra for the three Nernstian transitions. Specifically, absorption peaks at 429, 446, and 448 nm go with the alpha peaks seen respectively at 602, 605, and 607 nm. Evidence was presented to support the hypothesis that the redox state of heme alpha may control the redox potential of heme a3.     

Potentiometric study of cytochrome c1aa3 from Thermus thermophilus

We have examined the redox behavior of the cytochrome c1aa3 complex from Thermus thermophilus. In potentiometric titrations the cytochrome c behaves as an independent center having n = 1 and E = 205 mV (NHE). Under the assumption that the individual centers equilibrate independently in this experiment, changes in the absorption band at 603 nm have been resolved into two components: cytochrome a (n = 1, Em = 270 mV, 60% spectral contribution) and cytochrome a3 (n = 2, Em = 360 mV, 40% spectral contribution). The n = 2 process was attributed to strong chemical coupling between cytochrome a3 and CuB. The enzyme was also titrated with a mixture of NADH and PMS, and the results are shown not to conform to a model of intramolecular equilibrium according to the equilibrium constants obtained from the potentiometric titration. It is suggested that a conformational equilibrium within the complex may control electron transfer between cytochromes a and a3.     

Characterization of two low Em forms of cytochrome a3 and their carbon monoxide complexes in mammalian cytochrome c oxidase.

Evidence is presented for the existence of two forms of low-potential cytochrome a3. One appears to be similar to the low-spin form reported by Nicholls, P., and V. Hildebrandt (1978 Biochem. J. 173:65-72) and Wrigglesworth, J. M., J. Elsden, A. Chapman, N. Van der Water, and M. F. Grahn (1988. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 936:452-464). It has a reduced Soret peak near 428 nm and a prominent alpha peak near 602 nm. This form is seen when the enzyme is either supplemented with lipoprotein or incorporated into a liposomal membrane, preexposed to a voltage greater than 400 mV for at least 30 min, and titrated in the presence of approximately 1 mM K3Fe(CN)6. The other form has a reduced Soret peak near 446 nm, and no prominent alpha peak. The 428-nm form has an Em near 175 mV and forms a CO complex with an Em near 225 mV. The 446-nm form has an Em near 200 mV and forms a CO complex with an Em near 335 mV.     

Abundance, subunit composition, redox properties, and catalytic activity of the cytochrome bc1 complex from alkaliphilic and halophilic, photosynthetic members of the family Ectothiorhodospiraceae.

Ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (cytochrome bc1) complexes were demonstrated to be present in the membranes of the alkaliphilic and halophilic purple sulfur bacteria Ectothiorhodospira halophila, Ectothiorhodospira mobilis, and Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii by protoheme extraction, immunoblotting, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The gy values of the Rieske [2Fe-2S] clusters observed in membranes of E. mobilis and E. halophila were 1.895 and 1.910, respectively. In E. mobilis membranes, the cytochrome bc1 complex was present in a stoichiometry of approximately 0.2 per reaction center. This complex was isolated and characterized. It contained four prosthetic groups: low-potential cytochrome b (cytochrome bL; Em = -142 mV), high-potential cytochrome b (cytochrome bH; Em = 116 mV), cytochrome c1 (Em = 341 mV), and a Rieske iron-sulfur cluster. The absorbance spectrum of cytochrome bL displayed an asymmetric alpha-band with a maximum at 564 nm and a shoulder at 559 nm. The alpha bands of cytochrome bH and cytochrome c1 peaked at 559.5 and 553 nm, respectively. These prosthetic groups were associated with three different polypeptides: cytochrome b, cytochrome c1, and the Rieske iron-sulfur protein, with apparent molecular masses of 43, 30, and 21 kDa, respectively. No evidence for the presence of a fourth subunit was obtained. Maximal ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase activity of the purified complex was observed at pH 8; the turnover rate was 57 mol of cytochrome c reduced.(mol of cytochrome c1)-1.s-1. The complex showed a strikingly low sensitivity towards typical inhibitors of cytochrome bc1 complexes.     

Cobalt-cytochrome c. I. Preparation, properties, and enzymic activity.

An improved procedure for the preparation of cobalt-cytochrome c has been developed. Various factors influencing the cobalt insertion process are discussed. The optical spectra of cobalt-cytochrome c suggest a six-coordinated species. The spectral shifts occurring with oxidation-reduction are compared with those observed for deoxy-cobaltohemoglobin and ferrocytochrome c and attributed to the effect of d(z2) electron on stereoelectronic interactions between the axial ligands and the porphyrin pi systems. Cobalt-cytochrome c has Em,7 = -140 +/- 20 mV as compared to an Em,7 of +250mV for ferrocytochrome c. An explanation for this negative Em,7 is offered. Cobaltocytochrome c is oxidized by cytochrome oxidase at about 45% of the rate for native cytochrome c. On the other hand cobalticytochrome c was not reduced by microsomal NADH or NADPH cytochrome c reductase nor by mitochondrial NADH or succinate cytochrome c reductase. It appears that the integrity of the reductase binding site is destroyed and the oxidase binding site has been modified by cobalt substitution.     

Two types of cytochrome cd1 in the aerobic photosynthetic bacterium, Erythrobacter sp. OCh 114

Components I and II of cytochrome cd1 which had different spectral features were purified from the aerobic photosynthetic bacterium, Erythrobacter sp. strain OCh 114. Component I showed an absorption maxima at 700 and 406 nm in the oxidized form, and at 621, 552.5, 548 and 416 nm in the reduced form. Component II showed an absorption maxima at 635 and 410 nm in the oxidized form and at 628, 552.5, 548 and 417 nm in the reduced form. The relative molecular mass, Mr, of both cytochromes was determined to be 135,000 with two identical subunits. Components I and II showed pI values of 7.6 and 6.8, respectively. The redox potential of hemes ranged from +234 mV to +242 mV, except for the heme d1 of component I (Em7 = +134 mV). Components I and II showed both cytochrome c oxidase and nitrite reductase activities. Cytochrome c oxidase activity was strongly inhibited by a low concentration of nitrite and cyanide. Erythrobacter cytochromes c-551 and c-552 were utilized as electron donors for the cytochrome c oxidase reaction. The high affinity of cytochrome c-552 to component II (Km = 1.27 microM) suggested a physiological significance for this cytochrome. Erythrobacter cytochromes cd1 are unique in their presence in cells grown under aerobic conditions as compared to other bacterial cytochromes cd1 which are formed only under denitrifying conditions.     

Redox properties of membrane-bound b-type cytochromes and a soluble c-type cytochrome of nitrate reductase in a photodenitrifier, Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides forma sp. denitrificans

In order to identify the b-type cytochrome involved in the nitrate reduction in a photodenitrifier, Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides forma sp. denitrificans, the b-type cytochromes in the spheroplast membranes were characterized. Difference spectra at 77K of spheroplast membranes indicated the presence of two b-type cytochromes with a bands at 556.5 and 562 nm. Three components considered to be of the b-type cytochrome were resolved by anaerobic potentiometric titration at 560-572 nm. Their midpoint potentials at pH 7, Em,7, were - 135 mV, +40 mV and +175 nm and their approximate reduced minus oxidized maxima were determined to be at 565 nm (562 nm at 77K), 560 nm (556.5 nm) and 560 nm (556.5 nm), respectively. These values are almost the same as those reported for R. sphaeroides. The Em,7 value of the cytochrome c involved in the nitrate reductase of this denitrifier was determined to be 250 mV. A b-type cytochrome reduced with NADH and FMN was oxidized by nitrate in chromatophore membranes. The possibility that cytochrome b (Em,7 = 175 mV) is involved in the nitrate reduction is discussed.     

Potentiometric analysis of the cytochromes of an Escherichia coli mutant strain lacking the cytochrome d terminal oxidase complex.

A combination of potentiometric analysis and electrochemically poised low-temperature difference spectroscopy was used to examine a mutant strain of Escherichia coli that was previously shown by immunological criteria to be lacking the cytochrome d terminal oxidase. It was shown that this strain is missing cytochromes d, a1, and b558 and that the cytochrome composition of the mutant is similar to that of the wild-type strain grown under conditions of high aeration. The data indicate that the high-aeration branch of the respiratory chain contains two cytochrome components, b556 (midpoint potential [Em] = +35 mV) and cytochrome o (Em = +165 mV). The latter component binds to CO and apparently has a reduced-minus-oxidized split-alpha band with peaks at 555 and 562 nm. When the wild-type strain was grown under conditions of low aeration, the components of the cytochrome d terminal oxidase complex were observed: cytochrome d (Em = +260 mV), cytochrome a1 (Em = +150 mV) and cytochrome b558 (Em = +180 mV). All cytochromes appeared to undergo simple one-electron oxidation-reduction reactions. In the absence of CO, cytochromes b558 and o have nearly the same Em values. In the presence of CO, the Em of cytochrome o is raised, thus allowing cytochromes b558 and o to be individually quantitated by potentiometric analysis when they are both present.     

Mitochondrial respiratory chain of Tetrahymena pyriformis. The thermodynamic and spectral properties.

The mitochondria isolated from the ciliate protozoon Tetrahymena pyriformis carry an oxidative phosphorylation with P/O ratio of 2 for succinate oxidation and P/O ratio of 3 for the oxidation of the NAD-linked substrates. The respiration is more than 90% inhibited with 1 mM cyanide while antimycin A and rotenone inhibit at concentrations of 1000-fold higher than those effective in mammalian mitochondria. Using a combination of spectral studies and potentiometric titrations, the components of the respiratory chain were identified and characterized with respect to the values of their half-reduction potentials. In the cytochrome bc1 region of the chain a cytochrome c was present with an Em7.2 of 0.225 V and two components with absorption maxima at 560 nm and the half-reduction potential values of -0.065 and -0.15 V at pH 7.2. The cytochrome with the more positive half-reduction potential was identified as the analogue of the cytochrome(s) b present in mitochondria of higher organisms, while the cytochrome with the more negative half-reduction potential was tentatively identified as cytochrome o. In addition ubiquinone was present at a concentration of approx. 4 nmol per mg mitochondrial protein. In the spectral region where cytochromes a absorb at least three cytochromes were found. A cytochrome with an absorption maximum at 593 nm and a midpoint potential of -0.085 V at pH 7.2 was identified as cytochrome a1. The absorption change at 615-640 nm, attributed usually to cytochrome a2, was resolved into two components with Em7,2 values of 0,245 and 0.345 V. It is concluded that the terminal oxidase in Tetrahymena pyriformis mitochondria is cytochrome a2 which in its two component structure resembles cytochrome aa3.     

Complete analysis of the cytochrome components of beef heart mitochondria in terms of spectra and redox properties. Cytochromes aa3.

Using newer techniques of data collection that accumulate entire spectra at a series of discrete voltages and newer techniques of analysis that utilize the additional data, we have re-examined the redox behavior and corresponding difference spectra of redox centers responsible for the alpha absorbance features of cytochromes aa3 in beef heart mitochondria. Our analysis reveals three Nernstian components with Em values of 200, 260, and 340 mV with n values of 2, 2, and 1, respectively. The maximum alpha absorbance in the difference spectra for each of these species is located at 602, 605, and 607 nm respectively. Titrations in the presence of carbon monoxide led to the identification of the lowest voltage species as cytochrome a3. The Em of the carbon monoxide-liganded species was not raised. This is contrary to the result expected when a ligand has a much stronger affinity for the reduced form of a redox couple than the oxidized form. It is, however, consistent with a proton-pumping model of cytochrome oxidase in which the binding of ligand results in the dissociation of protons.     

Near infrared spectral changes of cytochrome aa3 during potentiometric titrations.

Singular value decomposition (SVD) was used to deconvolute the spectral changes occurring in the near infrared region during potentiometric titrations of cytochrome aa3. Overall oxidized minus reduced difference spectra revealed a broad absorbance feature centered near 830 nm with an apparent Em near 250 mV. However, SVD did not isolate any spectral species with an absorbance centered near 830 nm. It was found that the spectral changes occurring in the wavelength region from 650 to 950 nm were associated mainly with cytochromes a and a3. It was concluded that the absorbance at 830 nm should not be used as an independent measure of the concentration of CuA in cytochrome aa3.     

Membrane-bound cytochromes in Chloroflexus aurantiacus studied by EPR.

The heme components of chlorosome-depleted membranes of the green-gliding bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus were studied by EPR spectroscopy. The four major species, which are present in approximately equimolar quantities, are characterized by the following gz values, redox midpoint potentials and orientations of heme planes with respect to the plane of the membrane: gz = 3.40, Em = +280 mV, 30 degrees; gz = 3.33, Em = 0 mV, 45 degrees; gz = 3.03, Em = +95 mV, 40-50 degrees and gz = 2.95, Em = +150 mV, 90 degrees. These four hemes were attributed to cytochrome c554, the membrane-bound immediate electron donor to the photosynthetic reaction centre in Chloroflexus. All hemes except that with the highest potential were able to undergo photooxidation at 4 K. The photooxidation of the lowest potential heme was stable, whereas that of the +95 mV and the +150 mV hemes reversed on increasing the temperature to 100 K in darkness, due to charge recombination. The ability to photooxidize these hemes at 4 K was lost upon aging of samples. The results demonstrate that a reaction-centre-associated tetraheme cytochrome subunit, analogous to that of purple bacteria, is also present in C. aurantiacus.     

Respiratory electron transport and light-induced energy transduction in membranes from the aerobic photosynthetic bacterium Roseobacter denitrificans

Membrane fragments isolated from the aerobic phototrophic bacterium Roseobacter denitrificans were examined. Ninety-five percent of the total NADH-dependent oxidative activity was inhibited either by antimycin A or myxothiazol, two specific inhibitors of the cytochrome bc1 complex, which indicates that the respiratory electron transport chain is linear. In agreement with this finding, light-induced oxygen uptake, an electron transport activity catalyzed by the "alternative quinol oxidase pathway" in membranes of several facultative phototrophic species, was barely detectable in membranes of Rsb. denitrificans. Redox titrations at 561-575 nm, 552-540 nm, and 602-630 nm indicated the presence of three b-type cytochromes (Em,7 of +244 +/- 8, +24 +/- 3, -163 +/- 11 mV), four c-type cytochromes (Em,7 of +280 +/- 10, +210 +/- 5, +125 +/- 8, and 20 +/- 3 mV) and two a-type cytochromes (Em,7 of +335 +/- 15, +218 +/- 18 mV). The latter two a-type hemes were shown to be involved in cytochrome c oxidase activity, which was inhibited by both cyanide (I50 = 2 microM) and azide (I50 = 1 mM), while a soluble cytochrome c (c551, Em,7 = +217 +/- 2 mV) was shown to be the physiological electron carrier connecting the bc1 complex to the cytochrome c oxidase. A comparison of the ATP synthesis generated by continuous light in membranes of Rsb. denitrificans and Rhodobacter capsulatus showed that in both bacterial species photophosphorylation requires a membrane redox poise at the equilibrium (Eh > or = +80 < or = +140 mV), close to the oxidation-reduction potential of the ubiquinone pool. These data, taken together, suggest that, although the photosynthetic apparatus of Rsb. denitrificans is functionally similar to that of typical anoxygenic phototrophs, e.g. Rba. capsulatus, the in vivo requirement of a suitable redox state at the ubiquinone pool level restricts the growth capacity of Rsb. denitrificans to oxic conditions.     

A new high potential redox transition for cytochrome aa3.

Using cyano-complexes of iron, tungsten, and molybdenum and a platinum working electrode, we have been able to attain and hold voltages in the range of 400 to 900 mV (vs. standard hydrogen electrode) in an aqueous medium. With this system we have obtained additional information in support of an earlier conclusion that cytochrome a3 has a high Em transition (i.e. greater than 460 mV) in addition to its Em in the 180-200 mV range (Hendler, R. W., K. V. S. Reddy, R. I. Shrager, and W. S. Caughey. 1986. Biophys. J. 49:717-729; Reddy, K. V. S., and R. W. Hendler. 1986. Biophys. J. 49:693-703). The proposed new transition has an Em near 770 mV and an n value greater than 1. The reduced form of the high-potential species of cytochrome a3 does not bind CO, in contrast to the reduced form of the low-potential species which does. A possible reaction scheme for cytochrome aa3 which incorporates the new information is presented.     

EPR studies of the cytochrome-d complex of Escherichia coli

We have examined the thermodynamic and EPR properties of one of the ubiquinol oxidase systems (the cytochrome d complex) of Escherichia coli, and have assigned the EPR-detectable signals to the optically identified cytochromes. The axial high spin g = 6.0 signal has been assigned to cytochrome d based on the physicochemical properties of this signal and those of the optically defined cytochrome d. A rhombic low spin species at gx,y,z = 1.85, 2.3, 2.5 exhibited similar properties but was present at only one-fifth the concentration of the axial high spin species. Both species have an Em7 of 260 mV and follow a -60 mV/pH unit dependence from pH 6 to 10. The rhombic high spin signal with gy,z = 5.5 and 6.3 has been assigned to cytochrome b-595. This component has an Em7 of 136 mV and follows a -30 mV/pH unit dependence from pH 6 to 10. Lastly, the low spin gz = 3.3 signal which titrates with an Em7 of 195 mV and follows a -40 mV/pH unit dependence from pH 6 to 10 has been assigned to cytochrome b-558. Spin quantitation of the high-spin signals indicates that cytochrome d and b-595 are present in approximately equal amounts. These observations are discussed in terms of the stoichiometry of the prosthetic groups and its implications on the mechanism of electron transport.     

The oxidation-reduction potentials of cytochrome o + c4 and cytochrome o purified from Azotobacter vinelandii.

Oxidation-reduction titrations of Azotobacter vinelandii cytochrome o + c4 and cytochrome o were performed with simultaneous potential and absorbance measurements under anaerobic conditions. Cytochrome c4 has a midpoint potential (Em, 7.4) of 260mV and purified cytochrome o has an Em, 7.4 of -18mV. Little change in the midpoint potential of cytochrome o was observed when titrated in the pH range 6.2--9.8.     

Potentiometric studies on yeast complex III

Potentiometric measurements have been performed on Complex III from bakers' yeast. The midpoint potentials for the b and c cytochromes were measured using room-temperature MCD and liquid-helium temperature EPR. A value of 270 mV was obtained for cytochrome c1, regardless of temperature, while the midpoint potentials found for the two species of cytochrome b varied with temperatures, viz., 62 and -20 mV at room temperature (MCD) compared to 116 and -4 mV at about 10 K (EPR). The midpoint potential of the iron-sulfur center obtained by low-temperature EPR was 286 mV. An abrupt conformational change occurred immediately after this center was fully reduced resulting in a change in EPR line shape. The potentials of the two half-reactions of ubiquinone were measured by following the semiquinone radical signal at 110 K and 23 degrees C. Potentials of 176 and 51 mV were found at low temperature, while values of 200 and 110 mV were observed at room temperature. The midpoint potential of cytochrome c1 was found to be pH independent. The potentials of cytochrome b were also independent of pH when titrations were performed in deoxycholate buffers, while a variation of -30 mV per pH unit was observed for both cytochrome c species in taurocholate buffers. These two detergents also produced different MCD contributions of the two b cytochromes. A decrease in Em of greater than 300 mV was found in potentiometric measurements of cytochrome c1 at high ratios of dye to Complex III. Antimycin does not affect the redox potentials of cytochrome c1 but appears to induce a transition of the low-potential b heme to a high-potential species. This transition is mediated by ubiquinone.     

EPR determination of the oxidation-reduction potentials of the hemes in cytochrome c3 from Desulfovibrio vulgaris.

EPR spectroscopy in conjunction with oxidation-reduction potentiometry has been used to determine the half-reduction potentials of the four hemes of cytochrome c3. As predicted, the four hemes of cytochrome c3 have different mid-point potentials. The Em values are: Heme I,--284 mV; Heme II,--310 mV; Heme III,--324 mV and Heme IV,--319 mV. The n-values in each case was near one.