Studies on the mechanism of electron transport in the bc1-segment of the respiratory chain in yeast. II. The binding of antimycin to mitochondrial particles and the function of two different binding sites.

1. In mitochondrial particles antimycin binds to two separate specific sites with dissociation constants KD1 less than 4 - 10(-13) M and KD2 = 3 - 10(-9) M, respectively. 2. The concentrations of the two antimycin binding sites are about equal. The absolute concentration for each binding site is about 100 - 150 pmol per mg of mitochondrial protein. 3. Antimycin bound to the stronger site mainly inhibits NADH-and succinate oxidase. Binding of antimycin to the weaker binding site inhibits the electron flux to exogenously added cytochrome c after blocking cytochrome oxidase by KCN. 4. Under certain conditions cytochrome b and c1 are dispensible components for antimycin-sensitive electron transport. 5. A model of the respiratory chain in yeast is proposed which accounts for the results reported here and previously. (Lang, B., Burger, G., and Bandlow, W. (1974) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 368, 71-85).     

Studies on the mechanism of electron trasport in the bc1-segment of the respiratory chain in yeast. III. Isolation and characterization of an antimycin resistant mutant ANT 8 in Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

1. A mutant (ANT 8) of Schizosaccharomyces pombe which shows resistance to antimycin both in vivo and in vitro is characterized biochemically and genetically. 2. In crosses of ANT 8 with auxotrophic strains, resistance to antimycin segregates 2:2 indicating that resistance is conferred by a single nuclear gene. Diploids heterozygous for the resistance gene, however, show segregation of the resistance and sensitivity during mitosis. Possible reasons for this segregation are discussed. 3. Compared with the wild type, the NADH oxidase of ANT 8 requires 13 times as much antimycin for 95% inhibition. After addition of ubiquinone-3, electron transport which is less sensitive to antimycin is found only in the mutant. 4. The resistance of the mutant ANT 8 si due to the much weaker binding of antimycin to mitochondria. As in the wild type, two antimycin binding sites can be separated by binding studies. From the inhibition curves it is evident that binding of antimycin to oxidized mitochondrial particles does not correspond with its inhibitory effect on the partly reduced enzyme in kinetic studies. 5. The peak of the b-cytochrome absorbing at 560.2 nm at 77 degrees K in the wild type is shifted to 561 nm in the mutant. 6. A special preparation method for mutant mitochondrial particles is described, yielding highly active enzymes and CO-insensitive cytochromes. 7. The results are discussed with reference to the components in our model of the respiratory chain, which may be responsible for this type of resistance.     

Preliminary characterization studies on the Neisseria catarrhalis respiratory electron transport chain

The Neisseria catarrhalis respiratory electron transport system was examined in a sonic type particulate membrane fraction and shown to have a moderately active succinate as well as nonpyridine nucleotide-dependent dl-lactate oxidoreductase and a very active tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine oxidase. l-Malate and l-glutamate oxidation were found to be dependent on pyridine nucleotides and exclusively associated with a soluble (or nonmembranous) fraction. The primary cytochrome components in the electron transport system appear to be c-type in nature (555 nm and 550 nm) as well as cytochrome a(1) (600 nm) and cytochrome o.     

Terminal branching of the respiratory electron transport chain in Neisseria meningitidis

The respiratory components of the envelope membrane preparation of Neisseria meningitidis were investigated. Oxidase activities were demonstrated in this fraction in the presence of succinic acid, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and ascorbate-N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylene-diamine (TMPD). Differences in the kinetics of inhibition by terminal oxidase inhibitors on the three oxidase activities indicated that ascorbate-TMPD oxidation involved only an azide-sensitive oxidase, whereas oxidation of the physiological substrates involved two oxidases, one of which was relatively azide resistant. Spectrophotometric studies revealed that ascorbate-TMPD donated its electrons exclusively to cytochrome o, whereas the physiological substrates were oxidized via both cytochromes o and a. The effects of class II inhibitors on the oxidases suggest terminal branching of the electron transport chain at the cytochrome b level. A model of the respiratory system in N. meningitidis is proposed.     

Studies on the mechanism of K+ transport in yeast.

The effect of uncouplers and diffusible acids on K⁺ transport was studied in yeast.Although the K⁺ transport system seems to depend on ATP to function, the effects of uncouplers are not due primarily to its action on the energy conserving systems of the cell.Other uncouplers with different structures to that of DNP showed also an inhibitory effect on K⁺ transport, which agrees with their reported ability to conduct protons through membranes.Uncouplers, besides inhibiting K⁺ uptake, produce an efflux of this cation; however, the rate of efflux produced is quantitatively important only when the cells have previously taken up the cation; there seems to exist a mechanism which prevents the loss of cations by yeast.In the absence of substrate, at pH 8.5, with 0.5 m KCl, TCS produces the efflux of H⁺, and when ⁸⁶Rb⁺ was used as a substitute for K⁺, an increase of the entrance of the cation could be detected in the presence of the uncoupler. It seems that the effect of the uncoupler depends on the direction of the combined H⁺ and K⁺ gradients, or the electrochemical potential of the cell.As reported by other authors, weak diffusible acids increase the uptake of K⁺ by yeast, and this effect is not due to changes in the metabolism, but to the magnitude of the entrance of the molecules to the yeast cell.It was found that the efflux of the acids (H₂CO₃), on the other hand, can produce an efflux of K⁺, which means that anions are important not only for the entrance of the cations, but for its permanence within the cell as well.The data seem to be in agreement with the hypothesis of the existence of a proton pump, responsible for the creation of an electrochemical potential, involved in K⁺ transport. At low pH, this pump seems to be activated by the transport of K⁺ into the cell.     

Alternative respiratory oxidases to study the animal electron transport chain

Oxidative phosphorylation is a common process to most organisms in which the main function is to generate an electrochemical gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) and to make energy available to the cell. However, plants, many fungi and some animals maintain non-energy conserving oxidases which serve as a bypass to coupled respiration. Namely, the alternative NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase NDI1, present in the complex I (CI)-lacking Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the alternative oxidase, ubiquinol:oxygen oxidoreductase AOX, present in many organisms across different kingdoms. In the last few years, these alternative oxidases have been used to dissect previously indivisible processes in bioenergetics and have helped to discover, understand, and corroborate important processes in mitochondria. Here, we review how the use of alternative oxidases have contributed to the knowledge in CI stability, bioenergetics, redox biology, and the implications of their use in current and future research.     

Effect of low temperature on electron transport in plant mitochondria respiratory chain

The etiolated 2.5-day winter wheat sprouts were chilled at 3 degrees C during 24 to 144 hours. After 24 h cooling, shoot intact mitochondria showed a high degree of activation of the alternative oxidase, which was measured as sodium azide and benzohydroxamate sensitivity of the organelles respiration with succinate as a substrate. The role of the alternative oxidase in limiting the level of reactive oxygen species produced in the stressed plant tissues is discussed.     

Studies on the mechanism of electron transport in the bc1-segment of the respiratory chain in yeast. II. The binding of antimycin to mitochondrial particles and the function of two different binding sites

1. In mitochondrial particles antimycin binds to two separate specific sites with dissociation constants $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>d</mtext><mtext>1</mtext>}}\text{≦ 4 · 10}{}^{\mathrm{?13}}\text{M}$ and $\text{K}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>d</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{= 3 · 10}{}^{\mathrm{?9}}\text{M}$, respectively.2. The concentrations of the two antimycin binding sites are about equal. The absolute concentration for each binding site is about 100 – 150 pmol per mg of mitochondrial protein.3. Antimycin bound to the stronger site mainly inhibits NADH- and succinate oxidase. Binding of antimycin to the weaker binding site inhibits the electron flux to exogenously added cytochrome c after blocking cytochrome oxidase by KCN.4. Under certain conditions cytochrome b and c₁ are dispensible components for antimycin-sensitive electron transport.5. A model of the respiratory chain in yeast is proposed which accounts for the results reported here and previously. (Lang, B., Burger, G. and Bandlow, W. (1974) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 368, 71–85).     

Studies on the mechanism of electron transport to nitrogenase in Azotobacter vinelandii

The involvement of the cytoplasmic membrane in electron transport to nitrogenase has been studied. Evidence shows that nitrogenase activity in Azotobacter vinelandii is coupled to the flux of electrons through the respiratory chain. To obtain information about proteins involved, the changes occurring in A. vinelandii cells transferred to nitrogen-free medium after growth on NH4Cl (depression of nitrogenase activity) were studied. Synthesis of the nitrogenase polypeptides was detectable 5 min after transfer to nitrogen-free medium. No nitrogenase activity could be detected until t = 20 min, whereupon a linear increase of nitrogenase activity with time was observed. Synthesis of nitrogenase was accompanied by synthesis of flavodoxin II and two membrane-bound polypeptides of Mr 29,000 and 30,000. Analysis with respect to changes in membrane-bound NAD(P)H dehydrogenase activities revealed the induction of an NADPH dehydrogenase activity, which was not detectable in membranes isolated from cells grown in the presence of NH4OAc. This induced activity was associated with the appearance of a polypeptide of Mr 29,000 in the NADPH dehydrogenase complex.     

Effect of cross-linking agents on electron transport and proton transfer in the mitochondrial respiratory chain

The effect of protein cross-linkage on proton translocation and electron transport in mitochondria respiratory chain was studied. Dimethylsuberimidate (1 mM) or dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (50 g/ml) inhibit proton translocation with concomitant stimulation of respiration. It is concluded that the definite level of dynamic mobility of proteins is needed for proton translocation.