13th International Congress of Biochemistry

Cytochrome caa₃ (cytochrome oxidase) from the thermophilic bacterium PS3 can exhibit full catalytic activity in the presence of ascorbate and TMPD or other electron donors and in the absence of added soluble c-type cytochromes. It appears to possess only a low-affinity and not a high-affinity site for the soluble cytochromes. Proteoliposomal cytochrome caa₃ develops an effective membrane potential in the presence of ascorbate and TMPD or PMS, in the absence of added soluble cytochrome c. Reduction of the a₃ centre is blocked in the presence of cyanide. During reductive titrations of the cyanide-inhibited enzyme, electrons initially equilibrate among three centres, the c haem, the a haem and one of the associated Cu atoms. During steady-state turnover, electrons probably enter the complex via the bound c haem; the a haem and perhaps an associated Cu_A atom are reduced next. It is concluded that, despite its size and hydrophobic association with the aa₃ complex, the haem c-containing subunit can behave in an analogous way to that of mammalian cytochrome c, bound at the high-affinity site of the eucaryotic enzyme.     

Pathways of cytochrome c oxidation by soluble and membrane-bound cytochrome aa3

In media of low ionic strength, membraneous cytochrome c oxidase, isolated cytochrome c oxidase, and proteoliposomal cytochrome c oxidase each bind cytochrome c at two sites, one of low affinity (1 microM greater than Kd' greater than 0.2 microM) and readily reversible and the other of high affinity (0.01 microM greater than Kd) and weakly reversible. When cytochrome c occupies both sites, including the low affinity site, the maximal turnover measured polarographically with ascorbate and N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) is independent of TMPD concentration, and lies between 250 and 400 s-1 (30 degrees C, pH 7.4) for fully activated systems. The apparent affinity of the enzyme for cytochrome c is, however, TMPD dependent. When cytochrome c occupies only the high-affinity site, the maximal turnover is closely dependent upon the concentration of TMPD, which, unlike ascorbate, can reduce bound cytochrome c. As TMPD concentration is increased, the maximal turnover approaches that seen when both sites as occupied. The lower activity of isolated cytochrome aa3 is due to the presence of inactive or inaccessible enzyme molecules. Incorporation of isolated enzyme into phospholipid vesicles restores full activity to all the subsequently accessible cytochrome aa3 molecules. Negatively charged (asolectin) vesicles show a higher cytochrome c affinity at the low-affinity sites than do the other enzyme preparations. A model for the cytochrome c-cytochrome aa3 complexes is put forward in which both sites, when occupied, are fully catalytically competent, but in which occupation of the "tight" site by a catalytically functional cytochrome c molecule is required for overall oxidation of cytochrome c via the "loose" site.     

Studies on cytochrome c oxidase activity of the cytochrome c1aa3 complex from Thermus thermophilus

Cytochrome oxidase from T. thermophilus is isolated as a noncovalent complex of cytochromes c1 and aa3 in which the four redox components of aa3 appear to be associated with a single approximately 55,000-D subunit while the heme C is associated with a approximately 33,000-D peptide (Yoshida, T., Lorence, R. M., Choc, M. G., Tarr, G. E., Findling, K. L., and Fee, J. A. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 112-123). We have examined the steady state transfer of electrons from ascorbate to oxygen by cytochrome c1aa3 as mediated by horse heart, Candida krusei, and T. thermophilus (c552) cytochromes c as well as tetramethylphenylenediamine (TMPD). These mediators exhibit simple Michaelis-Menten kinetic behavior yielding Vmax and KM values characteristic of the experimental conditions. Three classes of kinetic behavior were observed and are qualitatively discussed in terms of a reaction scheme. The data show that tetramethylphenyldiamine and cytochromes c react with the enzyme at independent sites; it is suggested that cytochrome c1 may efficiently transfer electrons to cytochrome aa3. When incorporated into phospholipid vesicles, the highly purified cytochrome c1aa3 was found to translocate one proton into the exterior medium for each molecule of cytochrome c552 oxidized. The combined results suggest that this bacterial enzyme functions in a manner generally identical with the more complex eucaryotic enzyme.     

Cytochrome c/cytochrome c oxidase interaction. Direct structural evidence for conformational changes during enzyme turnover.

We investigated the interaction between cytochrome c oxidase and its substrate cytochrome c by catalyzing the covalent linkage of the two proteins to yield 1 : 1 covalent enzyme-substrate complexes under conditions of low ionic strength. In addition to the 'traditional' oxidized complex formed between oxidized cytochrome c and the oxidized enzyme we prepared complexes under steady-state reducing conditions. Whereas for the 'oxidized' complex cytochrome c became bound exclusively to subunit II of the enzyme, for the 'steady-state' complex cytochrome c became bound to subunit II and two low molecular mass subunits, most likely VIb and IV. For both complexes we investigated: (a) the ability of the covalently bound cytochrome c to relay electrons into the enzyme, and (b) the ability of the covalently bound enzyme to catalyze the oxidation of unbound (exogenous) ferrocytochrome c. Steady-state spectral analysis (400-630 nm) combined with stopped-flow studies, confirmed that the bound cytochrome c mediated the efficient transfer of electrons from the reducing agent ascorbate to the enzyme. In the case of the latter, the half life for the ascorbate reduction of the bound cytochrome c and that for the subsequent transfer of electrons to haem a were both < 5 ms. In contrast the covalent complexes, when reduced, were found to be totally unreactive towards oxidized cytochrome c oxidase confirming that the previously observed reduction of haem a within the complexes occurred via intramolecular rather than intermolecular electron transfer. Additionally, stopped-flow analysis at 550 nm showed that haem a within both covalent complexes catalyzed the oxidation of exogenous ferrocytochrome c: The second order rate constant for the traditional complex was 0.55x10(6) m(-1) x s(-1) while that for the steady-state was 0.27x10(6) m(-1) x s(-1). These values were approximately 25-50% of those observed for 1 : 1 electrostatic complexes of similar concentrations. These results combined with those of the ascorbate and the electrophoresis studies suggest that electrons are able to enter cytochrome c oxidase via two independent pathways. We propose that during enzyme turnover the enzyme cycles between two conformers, one with a substrate binding site at subunit II and the other along the interface of subunits II, IV and VIb. Structural analysis suggests that Glu112, Glu113, Glu114 and Asp125 of subunit IV and Glu40, Glu54, Glu78, Asp35, Asp49, Asp73 and Asp74 of subunit VIb are residues that might possibly be involved.     

Haem O2 can replace haem A in the active site of cytochrome c oxidase from thermophilic bacterium PS3.

Thermophilic bacterium PS3 cultured under slightly air-limited conditions showed a mitochondrion-like cytochrome pattern similar to that in vigorously aerated cells, but an o-type cytochrome replaced cytochrome a3 as the CO-binding centre. Cytochrome cao-type oxidase was purified from the cell membranes by almost the same procedure as used for cytochrome caa3. The turnover number of cytochrome cao was higher than that of cytochrome caa3, but the Km's of the two enzymes for cytochrome c and O2 were almost the same. Gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate gave bands of four subunits at the identical positions both for cytochrome cao and cytochrome caa3. Cytochrome cao contained a novel kind of haem in addition to haems C and A. This novel haem is likely to be haem O, very recently found as the chromophore of the cytochrome bo complex in Escherichia coli. These data suggest that cytochrome cao is an alternative form of cytochrome c oxidase (cytochrome caa3), in which the cytochrome a3 centre of the enzyme is replaced with cytochrome o.     

Electron-paramagnetic-resonance studies of structure and function of the two-haem enzymes Pseudomonas cytochrome c peroxidase and beef heart cytochrome c oxidase

Beef heart cytochrome c oxidase contains two cytochromes, a and a3, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa cytochrome c peroxidase has one high- and one low-potential c haem, cHP and cLP. The parallelism in co-ordination and spin states between cytochrome a and haem cHP on the one hand and between cytochrome a3 and haem cLP on the other is illustrated. The two latter haems become accessible to cyanide, when the former are reduced. Such reduction also leads to an activation of the enzymes. Mechanisms are presented in which ferryl forms of cytochromes a3 and haem cLP take part. The enzymes reach an oxidation state, formally the same as resting enzyme, but with different properties.     

Mitochondrial respiration at low levels of oxygen and cytochrome c

In the intracellular microenvironment of active muscle tissue, high rates of respiration are maintained at near-limiting oxygen concentrations. The respiration of isolated heart mitochondria is a hyperbolic function of oxygen concentration and half-maximal rates were obtained at 0.4 and 0.7 microM O(2) with substrates for the respiratory chain (succinate) and cytochrome c oxidase [N,N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride (TMPD)+ascorbate] respectively at 30 degrees C and with maximum ADP stimulation (State 3). The respiratory response of cytochrome c-depleted mitoplasts to external cytochrome c was biphasic with TMPD, but showed a monophasic hyperbolic function with succinate. Half-maximal stimulation of respiration was obtained at 0.4 microM cytochrome c, which was nearly identical to the high-affinity K(')(m) for cytochrome c of cytochrome c oxidase supplied with TMPD. The capacity of cytochrome c oxidase in the presence of TMPD was 2-fold higher than the capacity of the respiratory chain with succinate, measured at environmental normoxic levels. This apparent excess capacity, however, is significantly decreased under physiological intracellular oxygen conditions and declines steeply under hypoxic conditions. Similarly, the excess capacity of cytochrome c oxidase declines with progressive cytochrome c depletion. The flux control coefficient of cytochrome c oxidase, therefore, increases as a function of substrate limitation of oxygen and cytochrome c, which suggests a direct functional role for the apparent excess capacity of cytochrome c oxidase in hypoxia and under conditions of intracellular accumulation of cytochrome c after its release from mitochondria.     

Anion and ionic strength effects upon the oxidation of cytochrome c by cytochrome c oxidase

Citrate and other polyanion binding to ferricytochrome c partially blocks reduction by ascorbate, but at constant ionic strength the citrate-cytochrome c complex remains reducible; reduction by TMPD is unaffected. At a constant high ionic strength citrate inhibits the cytochrome c oxidase reaction competitively with respect to cytochrome c, indicating that ferrocytochrome c also binds citrate, and that the citrate-ferrocytochrome c complex is rejected by the binding site at high ionic strength. At lower ionic strengths, citrate and other polyanions change the kinetic pattern of ferrocytochrome c oxidation from first-order towards zero-order, indicating preferential binding of the ferric species, followed by its exclusion from the binding site. The turnover at low cytochrome c concentrations is diminished by citrate but not the Km (apparent non-competitive inhibition) or the rate of cytochrome a reduction by bound cytochrome c. Small effects of anions are seen in direct measurements of binding to the primary site on the enzyme, and larger effects upon secondary site binding. It is concluded that anion-cytochrome c complexes may be catalytically competent but that the redox potentials and/or intramolecular behaviour of such complexes may be affected when enzyme-bound. Increasing ionic strength diminishes cytochrome c binding not only by decreasing the 'association' rate but also by increasing the 'dissociation' rate for bound cytochrome c converting the 'primary' (T) site at high salt concentrations into a site similar kinetically to the 'secondary' (L) site at low ionic strength. A finite Km of 170 microM at very high ionic strength indicates a ratio of K infinity m/K 0 M of about 5000. It is proposed that anions either modify the E10 of cytochrome C bound at the primary (T) site of that they perturb an equilibrium between two forms of bound c in favour of a less active form.     

Titration and steady-state behaviour of the 830 nm chromophore in cytochrome c oxidase.

Titration of cyanide-incubated cytochrome c oxidase (ox heart cytochrome aa3) with ferrocytochrome c or with NNN'N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine initially introduces two reducing equivalents per mol of cytochrome aa3. The first equivalent reduces the cytochrome a haem iron; the second reducing equivalent is not associated with reduction of the 830 nm chromophores (e.p.r.-detectable copper) but is probably required for reduction of the e.p.r.-undetectable copper. Excess reductant introduces a third reducing equivalent into the cyanide complex of cytochrome aa3. During steady-state respiration in the presence of cytochrome c and ascorbate, the 830 nm chromophore is almost completely oxidized. It is reduced more slowly than cytochrome a on anaerobiosis. In the presence of formate or azide, some reduction at 830 nm can be seen in the steady state; in an oxygen-pulsed system, a decrease in steady-state reduction of cytochromes c and a is associated with ab increased reduction of the 830 nm species. In the formate-inhibited system the reduction of a3 on anaerobiosis shows a lag phase, the duration of which corresponds to the time taken for the 830 nm species to be reduced. It is concluded that the e.p.r.-undetectable copper (CuD) is reduced early in the reaction sequence, whereas the detectable copper (CUD) is reduced late. The latter species is probably that responsible for reduction of the cytochrome a3 haem. The magnetic association between undetectable copper and the a3 haem may not imply capability for electron transfer, which occurs more readily between cytochrome a3 and the 830 nm species.     

Construction and characterization of a mutant of alkaliphilic Bacillus firmus OF4 with a disrupted cta operon and purification of a novel cytochrome bd.

The caa3-type terminal oxidase of Bacillus firmus OF4 has been proposed to play an important role in the growth and bioenergetics of this alkaliphile (A. A. Guffanti and T. A. Krulwich, J. Biol. Chem. 267:9580-9588, 1992). A mutant strain was generated in which the cta operon encoding the oxidase was disrupted by insertion of a spectinomycin resistance cassette. The mutant was unable to oxidize ascorbate in the presence of N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD). Absorption spectra of membranes confirmed the loss of the enzyme and indicated the presence of a cytochrome bd-type terminal oxidase. The mutant could grow on glucose but was unable to grow on malate or other nonfermentative carbon sources, despite the presence of the cytochrome bd. The cytochrome bd was purified from the mutant. The enzyme consisted of two subunits and, with menadiol as substrate, consumed oxygen with a specific activity of 12 micromol of O2 x min(-1) x mg(-1). In contrast to both cytochromes bd of Escherichia coli, the enzyme did not utilize TMPD as an electron source. A number of additional features, including subunit size and spectral properties, distinguish this cytochrome bd from its counterparts in E. coli and Azotobacter vinelandii.     

Electron transfer complexes of cytochrome c peroxidase from Paracoccus denitrificans containing more than one cytochrome

According to the model proposed in previous papers [Pettigrew, G. W., Prazeres, S., Costa, C., Palma, N., Krippahl, L., and Moura, J. J. (1999) The structure of an electron-transfer complex containing a cytochrome c and a peroxidase, J. Biol. Chem. 274, 11383-11389; Pettigrew, G. W., Goodhew, C. F., Cooper, A., Nutley, M., Jumel, K., and Harding, S. E. (2003) Electron transfer complexes of cytochrome c peroxidase from Paracoccus denitrificans, Biochemistry 42, 2046-2055], cytochrome c peroxidase of Paracoccus denitrificans can accommodate horse cytochrome c and Paracoccus cytochrome c(550) at different sites on its molecular surface. Here we use (1)H NMR spectroscopy, analytical ultracentrifugation, molecular docking simulation, and microcalorimetry to investigate whether these small cytochromes can be accommodated simultaneously in the formation of a ternary complex. The pattern of perturbation of heme methyl and methionine methyl resonances in binary and ternary solutions shows that a ternary complex can be formed, and this is confirmed by the increase in the sedimentation coefficient upon addition of horse cytochrome c to a solution in which cytochrome c(550) fully occupies its binding site on cytochrome c peroxidase. Docking experiments in which favored binary solutions of cytochrome c(550) bound to cytochrome c peroxidase act as targets for horse cytochrome c and the reciprocal experiments in which favored binary solutions of horse cytochrome c bound to cytochrome c peroxidase act as targets for cytochrome c(550) show that the enzyme can accommodate both cytochromes at the same time on adjacent sites. Microcalorimetric titrations are difficult to interpret but are consistent with a weakened binding of horse cytochrome c to a binary complex of cytochrome c peroxidase and cytochrome c(550) and binding of cytochrome c(550) to the cytochrome c peroxidase that is affected little by the presence of horse cytochrome c in the other site. The presence of a substantial capture surface for small cytochromes on the cytochrome c peroxidase has implications for rate enhancement mechanisms which ensure that the two electrons required for re-reduction of the enzyme after reaction with hydrogen peroxide are delivered efficiently.     

The effect of complex formation upon the reduction rates of cytochrome c and cytochrome c peroxidase compound II

The effect of complex formation between ferricytochrome c and cytochrome c peroxidase (Ferrocytochrome-c:hydrogen peroxide oxidoreductase, EC 1.11.1.5) on the reduction of cytochrome c by N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD), reduced N-methylphenazonium methosulfate (PMSH), and ascorbate has been determined at low ionic strength (pH 7) and 25 degrees C. Complex formation with the peroxidase enhances the rate of ferricytochrome c reduction by the neutral reductants TMPD and PMSH. Under all experimental conditions investigated, complex formation with cytochrome c peroxidase inhibits the ascorbate reduction of ferricytochrome c. This inhibition is due to the unfavorable electrostatic interactions between the ascorbate dianion and the negatively charged cytochrome c-cytochrome c peroxidase complex. Corrections for the electrostatic term by extrapolating the data to infinite ionic strength suggest that ascorbate can reduce cytochrome c peroxidase-bound cytochrome c faster than free cytochrome c. Reduction of cytochrome c peroxidase Compound II by dicyanobis(1,10-phenanthroline)iron(II) (Fe(phen)2(CN)2) is essentially unaffected by complex formation between the enzyme and ferricytochrome c at low ionic strength (pH 6) and 25 degrees C. However, reduction of Compound II by the negatively changed tetracyano-(1,10-phenanthroline)iron(II) (Fe(phen)(CN)4) is enhanced in the presence of ferricytochrome c. This enhancement is due to the more favorable electrostatic interactions between the reductant and cytochrome c-cytochrome c peroxidase Compound II complex then for Compound II itself. These studies indicate that complex formation between cytochrome c and cytochrome c peroxidase does not sterically block the electron-transfer pathways from these small nonphysiological reductants to the hemes in these two proteins.     

Proton pump coupled to cytochrome c oxidase in Paracoccus denitrificans

The proton translocating properties of cytochrome c oxidase in whole cells of Paracoccus denitrificans have been studied with the oxidant pulse method. leads to H+/2e- quotients have been measured with endogenous substrates, added methanol and added ascorbate (+TMPD) as reductants, and oxygen and ferricyanide as oxidants. It was found that both the observed leads to H+/O with ascorbate (+TMPD) as reductant, and the differences in proton ejection between oxygen-and ferricyanide pulses, with endogenous substrates or added methanol as a substrate, indicate that the P. denitrificans cytochrome c oxidase translocates protons with a stoichiometry of 2H+/2e-. The results presented in this and previous papers are in good agreement with recent findings concerning the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase, and suggest unequal charge separation by different coupling segments of the respiratory chain of P. denitrificans.     

Evidence of dithionite contribution to the low-frequency resonance Raman spectrum of reduced and mixed-valence cytochrome c oxidase.

The resonance Raman spectra of deoxygenated solutions of mixed-valence cyanide-bound and fully reduced cytochrome oxidase derivatives that have been reduced in the presence of aqueous or solid sodium dithionite exhibit two new low-frequency lines centered at 474 and 590 cm-1. These lines were not observed when the reductant system was changed to a solution containing ascorbate and N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD). Under enzyme turnover conditions, the addition of dithionite to the reoxidized protein (the 428-nm or "oxygenated" form) increases the intensity of these lines, while reoxidation and rereduction of the enzyme in the presence of ascorbate/TMPD resulted in the absence of both lines. Our data suggest that both lines must have contributions from species formed from aqueous dithionite, presumably the SO2 species, since these two lines are also observed in the Raman spectrum of a solution of aqueous dithionite, but not in the spectrum of an ascorbate/TMPD solution. Since heme metal-ligand stretch vibrations are expected to appear in the low-frequency region from 215 to 670 cm-1, our results indicate that special care should be exercised during the interpretation of the cytochrome a3 resonance Raman spectrum.     

Activation by reduction of the resting form of cytochrome c oxidase: tests of different models and evidence for the involvement of CuB

(1) The reaction of the resting form of oxidised cytochrome c oxidase from ox heart with dithionite has been studied in the presence and absence of cyanide. In both cases, cytochrome a reduction in 0.1 M phosphate (pH 7) occurs at a rate of 8.2.10(4) M-1.s-1. In the absence of cyanide, ferrocytochrome a3 appears at a rate (kobs) of 0.016 s-1. Ferricytochrome a3 maintains its 418 nm Soret maximum until reduced. The rate of a3 reduction is independent of dithionite concentration over a range 0.9 mM-131 mM. In the presence or cyanide, visible and EPR spectral changes indicate the formation of a ferric a3/cyanide complex occurs at the same rate as a3 reduction in the absence of cyanide. A g = 3.6 signal appears at the same time as the decay of a g = 6 signal. No EPR signals which could be attributed to copper in any significant amounts could be detected after dithionite addition, either in the presence or absence of cyanide. (2) Addition of dithionite to cytochrome oxidase at various times following induction of turnover with ascorbate/TMPD, results in a biphasic reduction of cytochrome a3 with an increasing proportion of the fast phase of reduction occurring after longer turnover times. At the same time, the predominant steady state species of ferri-cytochrome a3 shifts from high to low spin and the steady-state level of reduction of cytochrome a drops indicating a shift in population of the enzyme molecules to a species with fast turnover. In the final activated form, oxygen is not required for fast internal electron transfer to cytochrome a3. In addition, oxygen does not induce further electron uptake in samples of resting cytochrome oxidase reduced under anaerobic conditions in the presence of cyanide. Both findings are contrary to predictions of certain O-loop types of mechanism for proton translocation. (3) A measurement of electron entry into the resting form of cytochrome oxidase in the presence of cyanide, using TMPD or cytochrome c under anaerobic conditions, shows that three electrons per oxidase enter below a redox potential of around +200 mV. An initial fast entry of two electrons is followed by a slow (kobs approximately 0.02 s) entry of a third electron.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Mitochondrial regulation of caspase activation by cytochrome oxidase and tetramethylphenylenediamine via cytosolic cytochrome c redox state

Cytochrome c release from mitochondria induces caspase activation in cytosols; however, it is unclear whether the redox state of cytosolic cytochrome c can regulate caspase activation. By using cytosol isolated from mammalian cells, we find that oxidation of cytochrome c by added cytochrome oxidase stimulates caspase activation, whereas reduction of cytochrome c by added tetramethylphenylenediamine (TMPD) or yeast lactate dehydrogenase/cytochrome c reductase blocks caspase activation. Scrape-loading of cells with this reductase inhibited caspase activation induced by staurosporine. Similarly, incubating intact cells with ascorbate plus TMPD to reduce intracellular cytochrome c strongly inhibited staurosporine-induced cell death, apoptosis, and caspase activation but not cytochrome c release, indicating that cytochrome c redox state can regulate caspase activation. In homogenates from healthy cells cytochrome c was rapidly reduced, whereas in homogenates from apoptotic cells added cytochrome c was rapidly oxidized by some endogenous process. This oxidation was prevented if mitochondria were removed from the homogenate or if cytochrome oxidase was inhibited by azide. This suggests that permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane during apoptosis functions not just to release cytochrome c but also to maintain it oxidized via cytochrome oxidase, thus maximizing caspase activation. However, this activation can be blocked by adding TMPD, which may have some therapeutic potential.     

The cytochrome cbo from the obligate methylotroph Methylobacillus flagellatus KT is a cytochrome-c oxidase

The oxidase cho of Methylobacillus flagellatus KT was purified to homogeneity by nondenaturing gel electrophoresis, and the kinetic properties and substrate specificity of the enzyme were studied. Ascorbate and ascorbate/N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) were oxidized by cbo with a pH optimum of 8.3. When TMPD served as electron donor for the oxidase cho, the optimal pH (7.0 to 7.6) was determined from the difference between respiration rates in the presence of ascorbate/TMPD and of only ascorbate. The kinetic constants, determined at pH 7.0, were as follows: oxidation by the enzyme of reduced TMPD at pH 7.0 was characterized by KM = 0.86 mM and Vmax = 1.1 mumol O2/(min mg protein), and oxidation of reduced cytochrome c from horse heart was characterized by KM = 0.09 mM and Vmax = 0.9 mumol O2/(min mg protein) Cyanide inhibited ascorbate/TMPD oxidase activity (Ki = 4.5-5.0 microM). The soluble cytochrome cH (12 kDa) partially purified from M. flagellatus KT was found to serve as the natural electron donor for the oxidase cbo.     

Studies on the biosynthesis of cytochrome c

A soluble cytochrome was isolated and purified from the slime mould Physarum polycephalum and identified as cytochrome c by room-temperature and low-temperature (77 degrees K) difference spectroscopy. A close similarity between P. polycephalum and mammalian cytochromes c was suggested by a comparison of the initial rates of oxidation of both proteins by mammalian mitochondria. This similarity was further emphasized by redox titrations and gel-electrophoretic studies which indicated that P. polycephalum cytochrome c has an oxidation-reduction midpoint potential of +257mV at pH7.0 and a molecular weight of 12500+/-1500 (mean+/-maximum deviation for a set of six measurements). P. polycephalum exhibits an absolute requirement for protohaemin for growth. The (59)Fe-labelled haemin was prepared by chemical synthesis from protoporphyrin. The purified product had a specific radioactivity of 0.8+/-0.02muCi/mol. Growth of P. polycephalum in the presence of [(59)Fe]haemin resulted in the incorporation of (59)Fe into the plasmodial cytochrome c. The specific radioactivity of the cytochrome c haem was 0.36+/-0.02muCi/mol. The high specific radioactivity of the cytochrome haem indicates that synthesis of the holoenzyme must proceed by direct attachment of haem to the apoprotein rather than by the intermediate formation of a protoporphyrinogen-apoprotein complex. The observed decrease in the specific radioactivity of the haem group is attributed to exchange of the (59)Fe with unlabelled iron in the plasmodia either before or during attachment of the haem group to the apoprotein.     

Binding of arylazidocytochrome c derivatives to beef heart cytochrome c oxidase: cross-linking in the high- and low-affinity binding sites

Two arylazidocytochrome c derivatives, one modified at lysine-13 and the second modified at lysine-22, were reacted with beef heart cytochrome c oxidase. The lysine-13 modified arylazidocytochrome c was found to cross-link both to the enzyme and with lipid bound to the cytochrome c oxidase complex. The lysine-22 derivative reacted only with lipids. Cross-linking to protein was through subunit II of the cytochrome c oxidase complex, as first reported by Bisson et al. [Bisson, R., Azzi, A., Gutweniger, H., Colonna, R., Monteccuco, C., & Zanotti, A. (1978) J. Biol. Chem. 253, 1874]. Binding studies show that the cytochrome c derivative covalently bound to subunit II was in the high-affinity binding site for the substrate. Evidence is also presented to suggest that cytochrome c bound to the lipid was in the low-affinity binding site [as defined by Ferguson-Miller et al. [Ferguson-Miller, S., Brautigan, D. L., & Margoliash, E. (1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251, 1104]]. Covalent binding of the cytochrome c derivative into the high-affinity binding site was found to inhibit electron transfer even when native cytochrome c was added as a substrate. Inhibition was almost complete when 1 mol of the Lys-13 modified arylazidocytochrome c was covalently bound to the enzyme per cytochrome c oxidase dimer (i.e., congruent to 280 000 daltons). Covalent binding of either derivative with lipid (low-affinity site) had very little effect on the overall electron transfer activity of cytochrome c oxidase. These results are discussed in terms of current theories of cytochrome c-cytochrome c oxidase interactions.     

The 1.6A X-ray structure of the unusual c-type cytochrome, cytochrome cL, from the methylotrophic bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens

The structure of cytochrome cL from Methylobacterium extorquens has been determined by X-ray crystallography to a resolution of 1.6 A. This unusually large, acidic cytochrome is the physiological electron acceptor for the quinoprotein methanol dehydrogenase in the periplasm of methylotrophic bacteria. Its amino acid sequence is completely different from that of other cytochromes but its X-ray structure reveals a core that is typical of class I cytochromes c, having alpha-helices folded into a compact structure enclosing the single haem c prosthetic group and leaving one edge of the haem exposed. The haem is bound through thioether bonds to Cys65 and Cys68, and the fifth ligand to the haem iron is provided by His69. Remarkably, the sixth ligand is provided by His112, and not by Met109, which had been shown to be the sixth ligand in solution. Cytochrome cL is unusual in having a disulphide bridge that tethers the long C-terminal extension to the body of the structure. The crystal structure reveals that, close to the inner haem propionate, there is tightly bound calcium ion that is likely to be involved in stabilization of the redox potential, and that may be important in the flow of electrons from reduced pyrroloquinoline quinone in methanol dehydrogenase to the haem of cytochrome cL. As predicted, both haem propionates are exposed to solvent, accounting for the unusual influence of pH on the redox potential of this cytochrome.