Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

I Moura

Publications and source records attributed to I Moura.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Evidence for selenocysteine coordination to the active site nickel in the [NiFeSe]hydrogenases from Desulfovibrio baculatus.

Ni and Se x-ray absorption spectroscopic studies of the [NiFeSe]hydrogenases from Desulfovibrio baculatus are described. The Ni site geometry is pseudo-octahedral with a coordinating ligand composition of 3-4 (N,O) at 2.06 A, 1-2 (S,Cl) at 2.17 A, and 1 Se at 2.44 A. The Se coordination environment consists of 1 C at 2.0 A and a heavy scatterer M (M = Ni or Fe) at approximately 2.4 A. These results are interpreted in terms of a selenocysteine residue coordinated to the Ni site. The possible role of the Ni-Se site in the catalytic activation of H2 is discussed.

Binding Sites↗

Spectroscopic characterization of a high-potential monohaem cytochrome from Wolinella succinogenes, a nitrate-respiring organism. Redox and spin equilibria studies.

When purified, a high-potential c-type monohaem cytochrome from the nitrate-respiring organism, Wollinella succinogenes (VPI 10659), displayed a minimum molecular mass of 8.2 kDa and 0.9 mol iron and 0.95 mol haem groups/mol protein. Visible light spectroscopy suggested the presence of an equilibrium between two ligand arrangements around the haem, i.e. an absorption band at 695 nm characteristic of haem-methionine coordination (low-spin form) coexisting with a high-spin form revealed by a band at 619 nm and a shoulder at 498 nm. The mid-point redox potential measured by visible redox titration of the low-spin form was approximately +100 mV. Binding cyanide (Ka = 5 x 10(5) M-1) resulted in the displacement of the methionyl axial residue, and full conversion to a low-spin, cyanide-bound form. Structural features were studied by 300-MHz 1H-NMR spectroscopy. In the oxidized state, the pH dependence of the haem methyl resonances (pH range 5-10) and the magnetic susceptibility measurements (using an NMR method) were consistent with the visible light spectroscopic data for the presence of a high-spin/low-spin equilibrium with a transition pKa of 7.3. The spin equilibrium was fast on the NMR time scale. The haem methyl resonances presented large downfield chemical shifts. An unusually broad methyl resonance at around 35 ppm (pH = 7.5, 25 degrees C) was extremely temperature-dependent [delta(323 K) - delta(273 K) = 7.2 ppm] and was assigned to the S-CH3 group of the axial methionine. In the ferrous state only a low-spin form is present. The haem meso protons, the methyl group and the methylene protons from the axial methionine were identified in the reduced form. The resonances from the aromatic residues (three tyrosines and one phenylalanine) were also assigned. Detailed monitoring of the NMR-redox pattern of the monohaem cytochrome from the fully reduced up to the fully oxidized state revealed that the rate of the intermolecular electronic exchange process was approximately 6 x 10(6) M-1 s-1 at 303 K and pH = 6.31. A dihaem cytochrome also present in the crude cell extract and purified to a homogeneous state, exhibited a molecular mass of 11 kDa and contained 2.43 mol iron and 1.89 mol haem c moieties/mol cytochrome. The absorption spectrum in the visible region exhibited no band at 695 nm, suggesting that methione is not a ligand for either of the two haems. Recovery of only small amounts of this protein prevented more detailed structural analyzes.

Bacteroidaceae↗

Assignment of individual heme EPR signals of Desulfovibrio baculatus (strain 9974) tetraheme cytochrome c3. A redox equilibria study.

An EPR redox titration was performed on the tetraheme cytochrome c3 isolated from Desulfovibrio baculatus (strain 9974), a sulfate-reducer. Using spectral differences at different poised redox states of the protein, it was possible to individualize the EPR g-values of each of the four hemes and also to determine the mid-point redox potentials of each individual heme: heme 4 (-70 mV) at gmax = 2.93, gmed = 2.26 and gmin = 1.51; heme 3 (-280 mV) at gmax = 3.41; heme 2 (-300 mV) at gmax = 3.05, gmed = 2.24 and gmin = 1.34; and heme 1 (-355 mV) at gmx = 3.18. A previously described multi-redox equilibria model used for the interpretation of NMR data of D. gigas cytochrome c3 [Santos, H., Moura, J.J.G., Moura, I., LeGall, J. & Xavier, A. V. (1984) Eur. J. Biochem. 141, 283-296] is discussed in terms of the EPR results.

Cytochrome c Group↗

A hypothetical model of the flavodoxin-tetraheme cytochrome c3 complex of sulfate-reducing bacteria.

A hypothetical model of the flavodoxin-tetraheme cytochrome c3 electron-transfer complex from the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio vulgaris has been constructed by using interactive computer graphics based on electrostatic potential field calculations and previous NMR experiments. Features of the proposed complex are (1) van der Waals contact between the flavin mononucleotide prosthetic group of flavodoxin and one heme of the cytochrome, (2) unique complementarity of electrostatic fields between the region surrounding this heme and the region surrounding the exposed portion of the flavin mononucleotide group of flavodoxin, and (3) no steric interferences between the two polypeptide chains in the complex. This complex is consistent with all structural and spectroscopic data available.

Cytochrome c Group↗

Magnetization of the oxidized and reduced three-iron cluster of Desulfovibrio gigas ferredoxin II.

The saturation magnetizations of the three iron cluster of ferredoxin II of Desulfovibrio gigas in both the oxidized and reduced states have been studied at fixed magnetic fields up to 4.5 tesla over the temperature range from 1.8 to 200 K. The low field (0.3 tesla) susceptibility of oxidized ferredoxin II obeys the Curie law over this entire temperature range. This establishes -2Jox greater than 200 cm-1 as the lower limit for the antiferromagnetic exchange coupling of oxidized ferredoxin II. The saturation magnetizations of reduced ferredoxin II at several fixed fields yield a nested family of curves which can be fit with spin S = 2 and D = -2.7(4) cm-1 (with E/D assigned the value 0.23 as determined by Mössbauer and EPR spectra). The low field susceptibility of reduced ferredoxin II also obeys the Curie law from approximately 4 up to 200 K. This establishes -2Jred greater than 40 cm-1 as the lower limit for the antiferromagnetic coupling of reduced ferredoxin II.

Desulfovibrio↗

Isolation and characterization of rubrerythrin, a non-heme iron protein from Desulfovibrio vulgaris that contains rubredoxin centers and a hemerythrin-like binuclear iron cluster.

A new non-heme iron protein from the periplasmic fraction of Desulfovibrio vulgaris (Hildenbourough NCIB 8303) has been purified to homogeneity, and its amino acid composition, molecular weight, redox potential, iron content, and optical, EPR, and Mössbauer spectroscopic properties have been determined. This new protein is composed of two identical subunits with subunit molecular weight of 21,900 and contains four iron atoms per molecule. The as-purified oxidized protein exhibits an optical spectrum with absorption maxima at 492, 365, and 280 nm, and its EPR spectrum shows resonances at g = 4.3 and 9.4, characteristic of oxidized rubredoxin. The Mössbauer data indicate the presence of approximately equal amounts of two types of iron; we named them the Rd-like and the Hr-like iron due to their similarity to the iron centers of rubredoxins (Rds) and hemerythrins (Hrs), respectively. For the Rd-like iron, the measured fine and hyperfine parameters (D = 1.5 cm-1, E/D = 0.26, delta EQ = -0.55 mm/s, delta = 0.27 mm/s, Axx/gn beta n = -16.5 T, Ayy/gn beta n = -15.6 T, and Azz/gn beta n = -17.0 T) are almost identical with those obtained for the rubredoxin from Clostridium pasteurianum. Redox-titration studies monitored by EPR, however, showed that these Rd-like centers have a midpoint redox potential of +230 +/- 10 mV, approximately 250 mV more positive than those reported for rubredoxins. Another unusual feature of this protein is the presence of the Hr-like iron atoms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bacterial Proteins↗

The three classes of hydrogenases from sulfate-reducing bacteria of the genus Desulfovibrio.

Three types of hydrogenases have been isolated from the sulfate-reducing bacteria of the genus Desulfovibrio. They differ in their subunit and metal compositions, physico-chemical characteristics, amino acid sequences, immunological reactivities, gene structures and their catalytic properties. Broadly, the hydrogenases can be considered as 'iron only' hydrogenases and nickel-containing hydrogenases. The iron-sulfur-containing hydrogenase ([Fe] hydrogenase) contains two ferredoxin-type (4Fe-4S) clusters and an atypical iron-sulfur center believed to be involved in the activation of H2. The [Fe] hydrogenase has the highest specific activity in the evolution and consumption of hydrogen and in the proton-deuterium exchange reaction and this enzyme is the most sensitive to CO and NO2-. It is not present in all species of Desulfovibrio. The nickel-(iron-sulfur)-containing hydrogenases [( NiFe] hydrogenases) possess two (4Fe-4S) centers and one (3Fe-xS) cluster in addition to nickel and have been found in all species of Desulfovibrio so far investigated. The redox active nickel is ligated by at least two cysteinyl thiolate residues and the [NiFe] hydrogenases are particularly resistant to inhibitors such as CO and NO2-. The genes encoding the large and small subunits of a periplasmic and a membrane-bound species of the [NiFe] hydrogenase have been cloned in Escherichia (E.) coli and sequenced. Their derived amino acid sequences exhibit a high degree of homology (70%); however, they show no obvious metal-binding sites or homology with the derived amino acid sequence of the [Fe] hydrogenase. The third class is represented by the nickel-(iron-sulfur)-selenium-containing hydrogenases [( NiFe-Se] hydrogenases) which contain nickel and selenium in equimolecular amounts plus (4Fe-4S) centers and are only found in some species of Desulfovibrio. The genes encoding the large and small subunits of the periplasmic hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio (D.) baculatus (DSM 1743) have been cloned in E. coli and sequenced. The derived amino acid sequence exhibits homology (40%) with the sequence of the [NiFe] hydrogenase and the carboxy-terminus of the gene for the large subunit contains a codon (TGA) for selenocysteine in a position homologous to a codon (TGC) for cysteine in the large subunit of the [NiFe] hydrogenase. EXAFS and EPR studies with the 77Se-enriched D. baculatus hydrogenase indicate that selenium is a ligand to nickel and suggest that the redox active nickel is ligated by at least two cysteinyl thiolate and one selenocysteine selenolate residues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cytochrome components of nitrate- and sulfate-respiring Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 27774.

Three multiheme c-type cytochromes--the tetraheme cytochrome c3 (molecular weight [MW] 13,500), a dodecaheme cytochrome c (MW 40,800), and a "split-Soret" cytochrome c (MW 51,540), which is a dimer with 2 hemes per subunit (MW 26,300)--were isolated from the soluble fraction of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (ATCC 27774) grown under nitrate- or sulfate-respiring conditions. Two of them, the dodecaheme and the split-Soret cytochromes, showed no similarities to any of the c-type cytochromes isolated from other sulfate-reducing bacteria, while the tetraheme cytochrome c3 appeared to be analogous to the cytochrome c3 found in other sulfate-reducing bacteria. For all three multiheme c-type cytochromes isolated, the homologous proteins from nitrate- and sulfate-grown cells were indistinguishable in amino acid composition, physical properties, and spectroscopic characteristics. It therefore appears that the same c-type cytochrome components are present when D. desulfuricans ATCC 27774 cells are grown under either condition. This is in contrast to the considerable difference found in Pseudomonas perfectomarina (Liu et al., J. Bacteriol. 154:278-286, 1983), a marine denitrifier, when the cells are grown on nitrate or oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor. In addition, two spectroscopy methods capable of revealing minute structural variations in proteins provided identical information about the tetraheme cytochrome c3 from nitrate-grown and sulfate-grown cells.

Amino Acids↗

Nickel-[iron-sulfur]-selenium-containing hydrogenases from Desulfovibrio baculatus (DSM 1743). Redox centers and catalytic properties.

The hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio baculatus (DSM 1743) was purified from each of three different fractions: soluble periplasmic (wash), soluble cytoplasmic (cell disruption) and membrane-bound (detergent solubilization). Plasma-emission metal analysis detected in all three fractions the presence of iron plus nickel and selenium in equimolecular amounts. These hydrogenases were shown to be composed of two non-identical subunits and were distinct with respect to their spectroscopic properties. The EPR spectra of the native (as isolated) enzymes showed very weak isotropic signals centered around g approximately 2.0 when observed at low temperature (below 20 K). The periplasmic and membrane-bound enzymes also presented additional EPR signals, observable up to 77 K, with g greater than 2.0 and assigned to nickel(III). The periplasmic hydrogenase exhibited EPR features at 2.20, 2.06 and 2.0. The signals observed in the membrane-bound preparations could be decomposed into two sets with g at 2.34, 2.16 and approximately 2.0 (component I) and at 2.33, 2.24, and approximately 2.0 (component II). In the reduced state, after exposure to an H2 atmosphere, all the hydrogenase fractions gave identical EPR spectra. EPR studies, performed at different temperatures and microwave powers, and in samples partially and fully reduced (under hydrogen or dithionite), allowed the identification of two different iron-sulfur centers: center I (2.03, 1.89 and 1.86) detectable below 10 K, and center II (2.06, 1.95 and 1.88) which was easily saturated at low temperatures. Additional EPR signals due to transient nickel species were detected with g greater than 2.0, and a rhombic EPR signal at 77 K developed at g 2.20, 2.16 and 2.0. This EPR signal is reminiscent of the Ni-signal C (g at 2.19, 2.14 and 2.02) observed in intermediate redox states of the well characterized Desulfovibrio gigas hydrogenase (Teixeira et al. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 8942]. During the course of a redox titration at pH 7.6 using H2 gas as reductant, this signal attained a maximal intensity around -320 mV. Low-temperature studies of samples at redox states where this rhombic signal develops (10 K or lower) revealed the presence of a fast-relaxing complex EPR signal with g at 2.25, 2.22, 2.15, 2.12, 2.10 and broad components at higher field. The soluble hydrogenase fractions did not show a time-dependent activation but the membrane-bound form required such a step in order to express full activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Desulfovibrio↗

Characterization of the cytochrome system of a nitrogen-fixing strain of a sulfate-reducing bacterium: Desulfovibrio desulfuricans strain Berre-Eau.

Two c-type cytochromes were purified and characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic techniques, from the sulfate-reducer nitrogen-fixing organism, Desulfovibrio desulfuricans strain Berre-Eau (NCIB 8387). The purification procedures included several chromatographic steps on alumina, carboxymethylcellulose and gel filtration. A tetrahaem and a monohaem cytochrome were identified. The multihaem cytochrome has visible, EPR and NMR spectra with general properties similar to other low-potential bis-histidinyl axially bound haem proteins, belonging to the class of tetrahaem cytochrome c3 isolated from other Desulfovibrio species. The monohaem cytochrome c553 is ascorbate-reducible and its EPR and NMR data are characteristic of a cytochrome with methionine-histidine ligation. Their properties are compared with other homologous proteins isolated from sulfate-reducing bacteria.

Cytochrome c Group↗

On the active sites of the [NiFe] hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio gigas. Mössbauer and redox-titration studies.

The [NiFe] hydrogenase isolated from Desulfovibrio gigas was poised at different redox potentials and studied by Mössbauer spectroscopy. The data firmly establish that this hydrogenase contains four prosthetic groups: one nickel center, one [3Fe-xS], and two [4Fe-4S] clusters. In the native enzyme, both the nickel and the [3Fe-xS] cluster are EPR-active. At low temperature (4.2 K), the [3Fe-xS] cluster exhibits a paramagnetic Mössbauer spectrum typical for oxidized [3Fe-xS] clusters. At higher temperatures (greater than 20 K), the paramagnetic spectrum collapses into a quadrupole doublet with parameters magnitude of delta EQ magnitude of = 0.7 +/- 0.06 mm/s and delta = 0.36 +/- 0.06 mm/s, typical of high-spin Fe(III). The observed isomer shift is slightly larger than those observed for the three-iron clusters in D. gigas ferredoxin II (Huynh, B. H., Moura, J. J. G., Moura, I., Kent, T. A., LeGall, J., Xavier, A. V., and Münck, E. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 3242-3244) and in Azotobacter vinelandii ferredoxin I (Emptage, M. H., Kent, T. A., Huynh, B. H., Rawlings, J., Orme-Johnson, W. H., and Münck, E. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 1793-1796) and may indicate a different iron coordination environment. When D. gigas hydrogenase is poised at potentials lower than -80 mV (versus normal hydrogen electrode), the [3Fe-xS] cluster is reduced and becomes EPR-silent. The Mössbauer data indicate that the reduced [3Fe-xS] cluster remains intact, i.e. it does not interconvert into a [4Fe-4S] cluster. Also, the electronic properties of the reduced [3Fe-xS] cluster suggest that it is magnetically isolated from the other paramagnetic centers.

Binding Sites↗

Low-spin sulfite reductases: a new homologous group of non-heme iron-siroheme proteins in anaerobic bacteria.

Two new low molecular weight proteins with sulfite reductase activity, isolated from Methanosarcina barkeri (DSM 800) and Desulfuromonas acetoxidans (strain 5071), were studied by EPR and optical spectroscopic techniques. Both proteins have visible spectra similar to that of the low-spin sulfite reductase of Desulfovibrio vulgaris strain Hildenborough and no band at 715 nm, characteristic of high-spin Fe3+ complexes in isobacteriochlorins is observed. EPR shows that as isolated the siroheme is in a low-spin ferric state (S = 1/2) with g-values at 2.40, 2.30 and 1.88 for the Methanosarcina barkeri enzyme and g-values at 2.44, 2.33 and 1.81 for the Desulfuromonas acetoxidans enzyme. Chemical analysis shows that both proteins contain one siroheme and one [Fe4S4] center per polypeptidic chain. These results suggest that the low molecular weight, low-spin non-heme iron siroheme proteins represent a new homologous class of sulfite reductases common to anaerobic microorganisms.

Anaerobiosis↗

Redox properties and activity studies on a nickel-containing hydrogenase isolated from a halophilic sulfate reducer Desulfovibrio salexigens.

A soluble hydrogenase from the halophilic sulfate reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio salexigens, strain British Guiana (NCIB 8403) has been purified to apparent homogeneity with a final specific activity of 760 mumoles H2 evolved/min/mg (an overall 180-fold purification with 20% recovery yield). The enzyme is composed of two non-identical subunits of molecular masses 62 and 36 kDa, respectively, and contains approximately 1 Ni, 12-15 Fe and 1 Se atoms/mole. The hydrogenase shows a visible absorption spectrum typical of an iron-sulfur containing protein (A400/A280 = 0.275) and a molar absorbance of 54 mM-1cm-1 at 400 nm. In the native state (as isolated, under aerobic conditions), the enzyme is almost EPR silent at 100 K and below. However, upon reduction under H2 atmosphere a rhombic EPR signal develops at g-values 2.22, 2.16 and around 2.0, which is optimally detected at 40 K. This EPR signal is reminiscent of the nickel signal C (g-values 2.19, 2.16 and 2.02) observed in intermediate redox states of the well characterized D. gigas nickel containing hydrogenase and assigned to nickel by 61 Ni isotopic substitution (J.J.G. Moura, M. Teixeira, I. Moura, A.V. Xavier and J. Le Gall (1984), J. Mol. Cat., 23, 305-314). Upon longer incubation with H2 the "2.22" EPR signal decreases. During the course of a redox titration under H2, this EPR signal attains a maximal intensity around--380 mV. At redox states where this "2.22" signal develops (or at lower redox potentials), low temperature studies (below 10 K) reveals the presence of other EPR species with g-values at 2.23, 2.21, 2.14 with broad components at higher fields. This new signal (fast relaxing) exhibits a different microwave power dependence from that of the "2.22" signal, which readily saturates with microwave power (slow relaxing). Also at low temperature (8 K) typical reduced iron-sulfur EPR signals are concomitantly observed with gmed approximately 1.94. The catalytic properties of the enzyme were also followed by substrate isotopic exchange D2/H+ and H2 production measurements.

Desulfovibrio↗

Electron paramagnetic resonance studies on the mechanism of activation and the catalytic cycle of the nickel-containing hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio gigas.

Desulfovibrio gigas hydrogenase (EC 1.12.2.1) is a complex enzyme containing one nickel, one 3Fe, and two [Fe4S4] clusters (Teixeira, M., Moura, I., Xavier, A. V., Der Vartanian, D. V., LeGall, J., Peck, H. D., Jr., Huynh, B. H., and Moura, J. J. G. (1983) Eur. J. Biochem. 130, 481-484). This hydrogenase belongs to a class of enzymes that are inactive "as isolated" (the so-called "oxygen-stable hydrogenases") and must go through an activation process in order to express full activity. The state of characterization of the active centers of the enzyme as isolated prompted us to do a detailed analysis of the redox patterns, activation profile, and catalytic redox cycle of the enzyme in the presence of either the natural substrate (H2) or chemical reductants. The effect of natural cofactors, as cytochrome C3, was also studied. Special focus was given to the intermediate redox species generated during the catalytic cycle of the enzyme and to the midpoint redox potentials associated. The available information is discussed in terms of a "working hypothesis" for the mechanism of the [NiFe] hydrogenases from sulfate reducing organisms in the context of activation process and catalytic cycle.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Purification, characterization and redox properties of hydrogenase from Methanosarcina barkeri (DSM 800).

A soluble hydrogenase from the methanogenic bacterium, Methanosarcina barkeri (DSM 800) has been purified to apparent electrophoretic homogeneity, with an overall 550-fold purification, a 45% yield and a final specific activity of 270 mumol H2 evolved min-1 (mg protein)-1. The hydrogenase has a high molecular mass of approximately equal to 800 kDa and subunits with molecular masses of approximately equal to 60 kDa. The enzyme is stable to heating at 65 degrees C and to exposure to air at 4 degrees C in the oxidized state for periods up to a week. The overall stability of this enzyme is compared with other hydrogenase isolated from strict anaerobic sulfate-reducing bacteria. Ms. barkeri hydrogenase shows an absorption spectrum typical of a non-heme iron protein with maxima at 275 nm, 380 nm and 405 nm. A flavin component, identified as FMN or riboflavin was extracted under acidic conditions and quantified to approximately one flavin molecule per subunit. In addition to this component, 8-10 iron atoms and 0.6-0.8 nickel atom were also detected per subunit. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of the native enzyme shows a rhombic signal with g values at 2.24, 2.20 and approximately equal to 2.0. probably due to nickel which is optimally measured at 40 K but still detectable at 77 K. In the reduced state, using dithionite or molecular hydrogen as reductants, at least two types of g = 1.94 EPR signals, due to iron-sulfur centers, could be detected and differentiated on the basis of power and temperature dependence. Center I has g values at 2.04, 1.90 and 1.86, while center II has g values at 2.08, 1.93 and 1.85. When the hydrogenase is reduced by hydrogen or dithionite the rhombic EPR species disappears and is replaced by other EPR-active species with g values at 2.33, 2.23, 2.12, 2.09, 2.04 and 2.00. These complex signals may represent different nickel species and are only observable at temperatures higher than 20 K. In the native preparation, at high temperatures (T greater than 35 K) or in partially reduced samples, a free radical due to the flavin moiety is observed. The EPR spectrum of reduced hydrogenase in 80% Me2SO presents an axial type of spectrum only detectable below 30 K.

Allosteric Site↗

NMR studies of electron transfer mechanisms in a protein with interacting redox centres: Desulfovibrio gigas cytochrome c3.

The proton NMR spectra of the tetrahaem cytochrome c3 from Desulfovibrio gigas were examined while varying the pH and the redox potential. The analysis of the NMR reoxidation pattern was based on a model for the electron distribution between the four haems that takes into account haem-haem redox interactions. The intramolecular electron exchange is fast on the NMR time scale (larger than 10(5) s-1). The NMR data concerning the pH dependence of the chemical shift of haem methyl resonances in different oxidation steps and resonance intensities are not compatible with a non-interacting model and can be explained assuming a redox interaction between the haems. A complete analysis at pH* = 7.2 and 9.6, shows that the haem-haem interacting potentials cover a range from -50 mV to +60 mV. The midpoint redox potentials of some of the haems, as well as some of their interacting potentials, are pH-dependent. The physiological relevance of the modulation of the haem midpoint redox potentials by both the pH and the redox potential of the solution is discussed.

Chemical Phenomena↗

NMR studies of a dihaem cytochrome from Pseudomonas perfectomarinus (ATCC 14405).

Pseudomonas perfectomarinus (ATCC 14405) dihaem cytochrome c552 was studied by 300-MHz proton magnetic resonance. Some of the haem resonances were assigned in the fully reduced and fully oxidized states. No evidence was found for methionine haem axial coordination. The oxidation-reduction equilibrium was studied in detail. Due to the large difference in mid-point redox potential between the two haems (+174 mV, for haem II and -180 mV for haem I) an intermediate oxidation state could be obtained containing reduced haem I and oxidized haem II. In this way the total paramagnetic shift at different oxidation levels could be decomposed in the intrinsic and extrinsic contributions. It was found that the two haems interact. The rate of electron exchange is slow on the NMR time scale. The redox equilibria are discussed for four possible redox species in solution.

Chemical Phenomena↗