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Investigation of the electron-transfer properties of cytochrome c oxidase covalently cross-linked to Fe- or Zn-containing cytochrome c.

Complexes of cytochrome c oxidase and cytochrome c (Fe- or Zn-containing) have been prepared by 1-ethyl-3-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]carbodi-imide (EDC) cross-linking. The site to which the cytochrome c covalently binds has been identified as being the same, or close to, the site occupied by cytochrome c in the electrostatic complex which may be formed between the proteins. Stopped-flow experiments, monitored either at a single wavelength or through a rapid wavelength-scan facility, showed that covalently bound Fe-containing cytochrome c cannot donate electrons to cytochrome a. Free Fe-containing cytochrome c was, however, able to transfer electrons to cytochrome a in covalent complexes containing either Fe- or Zn-containing cytochrome c. Turnover experiments showed that the complexed enzyme remains catalytically competent but with decreased (40-80%) activity. The steady-state levels of reduction of both free cytochrome c and cytochrome a in the covalent complex were higher than found in the control (uncomplexed) enzyme. These results are discussed with reference to the structure of the covalent complex and lead us to conclude that cytochrome a may accept electrons directly from free cytochrome c and that cross-linking impairs the redox properties of the CuA site.

Animals↗

The structural and functional role of lysine residues in the binding domain of cytochrome c in the electron transfer to cytochrome c oxidase.

The interactions of yeast iso-1 cytochrome c with bovine cytochrome c oxidase were studied using cytochrome c variants in which lysines of the binding domain were substituted by alanines. Resonance Raman spectra of the fully oxidized complexes of both proteins reveal structural changes of both the heme c and the hemes a and a3. The structural changes in cytochrome c are the same as those observed upon binding to phospholipid vesicles where the bound protein exists in two conformers, B1 and B2. Whereas the structure of B1 is the same as that of the unbound cytochrome c, the formation of B2 is associated with substantial alterations of the heme pocket. In cytochrome c oxidase, the structural changes in both hemes refer to more subtle perturbations of the immediate protein environment and may be a result of a conformational equilibrium involving two states. These changes are qualitatively different to those observed for cytochrome c oxidase upon poly-l-lysine binding. The resonance Raman spectra of the various cytochrome c/cytochrome c oxidase complexes were analyzed quantitatively. The spectroscopic studies were paralleled by steady-state kinetic measurements of the same protein combinations. The results of the spectra analysis and the kinetic studies were used to determine the stability of the complexes and the conformational equilibria B2/B1 for all cytochrome c variants. The complex stability decreases in the order: wild-type WT > J72K > K79A > K73A > K87A > J72A > K86A > K73A/K79A (where J is the natural trimethyl lysine). This order is not exhibited by the conformational equilibria. The electrostatic control of state B2 formation does not depend on individual intermolecular salt bridges, but on the charge distribution in a specific region of the front surface of cytochrome c that is defined by the lysyl residues at positions 72, 73 and 79. On the other hand, the conformational changes in cytochrome c oxidase were found to be independent of the identity of the bound cytochrome c variant. The maximum rate constants determined from steady-state kinetic measurements could be related to the conformational equilibria of the bound cytochrome c using a simple model that assumes that the conformational transitions are faster than product formation. Within this model, the data analysis leads to the conclusion that the interprotein electron transfer rate constant is around two times higher in state B2 than in B1. These results can be interpreted in terms of an increase of the driving force in state B2 as a result of the large negative shift of the reduction potential.

Alanine↗

Cytochrome b of cob revertants in yeast. Bioenergetic characterization of revertants with reduced content and shifted maximum absorption wavelength of cytochrome b.

22 revertants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with intragenic suppressors (supa) of cob exon mutations (G. Burger, Mol. Gen. Genet., in the press) were analyzed. They display either a reduced amount of cytochrome b, or a shifted maximum absorption wavelength of total cytochrome b or a reduced growth rate on glycerol. The relationship of physico-chemical properties (content, light absorption and midpoint potential of cytochromes bK and bT) and functional properties (electron transport and energy yield) has been examined. In seven of eight revertants with a shifted maximum absorption wavelength of cytochrome b neither growth rate nor electron transfer activity was affected. In 13 of 14 revertants, reduced content of cytochrome b corresponds to a reduced electron transport rate through the cytochrome bc1 segment. A lower enzymatic activity, which is not due to a quantitative but to a qualitative alteration of cytochrome b was found in two revertants. Two revertants show electron transport rates of wild-type level concomitant with a reduced growth rate on glycerol, obviously due to a less efficient energy coupling. All revertants were shown to contain a high and a low potential cytochrome b, referred to as bK and bT. Those cob-/supa mutations which shift the maximum absorption wavelength or diminish the content of cytochrome b affect both b cytochromes in all cases. The results support that electron transport and energy conservation are catalyzed by the unity of cytochrome bK and bT and that both heme centers are bound to an identical apoenzyme. Comparing electron flow rates of succinate:cytochrome c oxidoreductase and NADH:cytochrome c oxidoreductase in cob- mutants and two revertants provides evidence that ubiquinone does not constitute a homogeneous pool, suggested by the dissimilar interaction of both dehydrogenases with the bc1 segment.

Cytochrome b Group↗

Photoreactions of cytochrome b6 and cytochrome f in chloroplast photosystem I fragments.

Photosystem I fragments were prepared by digitonin treatment of spinach chloroplasts. The midpoint potential of cytochrome b6 in the fragments is close to 0V, showing a one electron transition. No cytochrome b559 was detectable, neither in difference absorption spectra nor in light-induced absorbance changes. In the absence of added cofactors only cytochrome b6 photoreduction can be observed. This photoreduction is stimulated by ferredoxin. Ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase appears not to be involved in cytochrome b6 reduction. Photooxidation of cytochrome b6 is dependent on plastocyanin addition and inhibited by DBMIB, a plastoquinone antagonist. Addition of plastocyanin restores cytochrome f photooxidation as well, reacting quite specifically in about equimolar concentrations to bound cytochrome f. The stimulation of cytochrome f oxidation is abolished by an antibody prepared against plastocyanin, indicating a surface location of plastocyanin in digitonin treated membranes. Biphasic kinetics of dark-reduction of cytochrome f by ascorbate indicate that part of this cytochrome f is relatively inaccessible in the membrane. After preillumination a monophasic reduction is observed and the slowly oxidized component is absent. Illumination in the presence of plastocyanin causes a fast and complete reduction of cytochrome f, suggesting equilibration of cytochrome f with added plastocyanin, residing in the membrane surface. It appears that actinic light causes conformation and/or structural changes in the membrane of these digitonin fragments, influencing cytochrome f asseccibility.

2,6-Dichloroindophenol↗

Reevaluation of cytochrome b and flavin adenine dinucleotide in neutrophils from patients with chronic granulomatous disease and description of a family with probable autosomal recessive inheritance of cytochrome b deficiency.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a genetically heterogeneous syndrome characterized by a microbial killing defect of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) due to lack of superoxide O2-. 2 generation. Recent studies indicate that the neutrophil O2-.-generating system consists of at least two components, flavoprotein--flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)--and cytochrome b. We evaluate the cytochrome b and FAD content in PMN from 30 CGD patients. The method for quantitating cytochrome b was modified by using PMN sonicates incubated with azide plus hydrogen peroxide. With this approach, several absorption peaks corresponding to myeloperoxidase and eosinophil peroxidase, which overlap with peaks of cytochrome b, were obliterated from reduced-minus-oxidized spectra, whereas the peaks of cytochrome b were not and could be readily quantitated. Cytochrome b was detected in PMNs from all 24 normal adults (47.4 +/- 2.9 pmol/7.5 X 10(6) cells), was absent in PMNs from 11 male CGD patients and one female CGD patient but was present in normal amounts in PMNs from nine male and nine female CGD patients. Stimulated nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) tests performed on PMNs from mothers of CGD patients indicated that cytochrome b deficiency was associated with X-linked inheritance, except in one case in which probable autosomal recessive inheritance was demonstrated. The PMN NBT test of the mother of another male patient without cytochrome b deficiency suggested an X-linked form of inheritance. In related studies, the FAD content in PMN particulate fractions was reduced in 4 of 28 CGD patients studied. All four CGD patients with reduced FAD lacked cytochrome b. However, three patients with cytochrome b deficiency had normal FAD. Thus, the results indicate that PMN cytochrome b deficiency is observed in most X-linked and in some autosomal recessive CGD, that cytochrome b deficiency may be associated with FAD deficiency, and that cytochrome b and FAD are normal in most patients with non-X-linked CGD.

Adult↗

The cytochrome composition of the meat spoilage bacterium Brochothrix thermosphacta: identification of cytochrome a3-and d-type terminal oxidases under various conditions.

Brochothrix thermosphacta, grown in batch culture in a yeast-dextrose broth, at temperatures from 30 degrees C to 10 degrees C, contained diverse membrane-bound respiratory cytochromes. Under conditions of moderate aeration, cytochromes of the a-, b- and d-type were detected at all growth temperatures, but the proportions changed as a function of temperature, with the spectra of cells grown at 10 or 15 degrees C being dominated by a-type cytochrome(s). Cytochrome a3 was detected by its reactions with CO and cyanide in cells from all growth conditions. An additional cytochrome a, which was not cyanide-reactive, was also detected, suggesting the presence of an aa3 oxidase complex. Cytochrome d was cyanide- and CO-reactive, but not detectable in photodissociation spectra, presumably because of the very rapid recombination of CO at the sub-zero temperatures used. Decreasing the oxygen transfer rates to batch cultures resulted in enhanced expression of cytochrome d and changed the proportion of the aa3-type oxidase that could be attributed to ligand-binding cytochrome a3; at the lowest oxygen transfer rates, no cytochrome a was detected, suggesting the presence of a cytochrome ba3 terminal oxidase complex. Intact cells showed no evidence of a c-type cytochrome and no haem C was detected in membrane preparations. After growth at 10 degrees C, the cytochrome composition of B. campestris was essentially identical to that of B. thermosphacta. The multiplicity of putative terminal oxidases in B. thermosphacta is discussed.

Carbon Monoxide↗

Electrostatic analysis of the interaction of cytochrome c with native and dimethyl ester heme substituted cytochrome b5.

The stability of the complex formed between cytochrome c and dimethyl ester heme substituted cytochrome b5 (DME-cytochrome b5) has been determined under a variety of experimental conditions to evaluate the role of the cytochrome b5 heme propionate groups in the interaction of the two native proteins. Interaction between cytochrome c and the modified cytochrome b5 was found to produce a difference spectrum in the visible range that is very similar to that generated by the interaction of the native proteins and that can be used to monitor complex formation between the two proteins. At pH 8 [25 degrees C (HEPPS), I = 5 mM], DME-cytochrome b5 and cytochrome c form a 1:1 complex with an association constant KA of 3 (1) X 10(6) M-1. This pH is the optimal pH for complex formation between these two proteins and is significantly higher than that observed for the interaction between the two native proteins. The stability of the complex formed between DME-cytochrome b5 and cytochrome c is strongly dependent on ionic strength with KA ranging from 2.4 X 10(7) M-1 at I = 1 mM to 8.2 X 10(4) M-1 at I = 13 mM [pH 8.0 (HEPPS), 25 degrees C]. Calculations for the native, trypsin-solubilized form of cytochrome b5 and cytochrome c confirm that the intermolecular complex proposed by Salemme [Salemme, F. R. (1976) J. Mol. Biol. 102, 563] describes the protein-protein orientation that is electrostatically favored at neutral pH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

[The role of the hydrophobic fragment of cytochrome b5 in the interaction with cytochrome P-450].

The interaction of highly purified liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 from phenobarbital-induced rabbits and cytochrome b5 has been investigated by the difference and second derivative difference spectroscopy. The addition of cytochrome b5 to cytochrome P-450 results in transition of cytochrome P-450 heme iron from low to high spin state. The interaction is accompanied by the changes in the second derivative spectrum of cytochrome P-450, which point to the participation of tryptophanyl residues in this process. The hydrophilic fragment of cytochrome b5 is unable to form a complex with cytochrome P-450 as judged by the absence of the difference spectrum and any changes in the second derivative UV-spectrum of cytochrome P-450. The evidence obtained indicates that the hydrophobic tail of the cytochrome b5 molecule responsible for its binding to membrane is also indispensable for forming a functional cytochrome P-450-cytochrome b5 complex.

Animals↗

The Respiratory Chain of Plant Mitochondria: XII. Some Aspects of the Energy-linked Reverse Electron Transport from the Cytochromes c to the Cytochromes b in Mung Bean Mitochondria.

The cytochromes c of mung bean (Phaseolus aureus) mitochondria become reduced when sulfide, a cytochrome oxidase inhibitor free from uncoupling side effects, is added to the aerobic mitochondrial suspension in the absence of added substrate. The cytochromes b remain largely oxidized. Subsequent addition of ATP results in partial oxidation of the cytochromes c and partial reduction of the cytochromes b due to ATP-driven reverse electron transport through the second site of energy conservation, or coupling site, of the respiratory chain. Cytochrome a is also oxidized under these conditions, but there is no concomitant reduction of the flavoprotein components, of ubiquinone, or of endogenous pyridine nucleotide. The reaction is abolished by oligomycin. The reducing equivalents transported from the cytochromes c and a in ATP-driven reverse electron transport are about 2-fold greater than those which appear in the cytochromes b. It is suggested that the equivalents not accounted for are present in a coupling site enzyme at the second site of energy conservation which interacts with the respiratory chain carriers by means of the dithiol-disulfide couple; this couple would not show absorbance changes with redox state over the wavelength range examined. With succinate present, reverse electron transport can be demonstrated at both coupling sites in both the aerobic steady state and in anaerobiosis. ATP-driven reverse electron transport in anaerobiosis maintains cytochrome a 30% oxidized while endogenous pyridine nucleotide is 50% reduced.When mung bean mitochondria, oxidizing succinate in the presence of sulfide through the alternate, cyanide- and sulfide-insensitive terminal oxidase, become anaerobic, cytochrome b(557), which has remained largely oxidized, becomes slowly reduced. The slow reduction is observed in coupled, energized mitochondria and in uncoupled mitochondria; the time course parallels the reduction of cytochrome a(3) under the same conditions. It appears that sulfide-liganded, oxidized cytochrome a(3) may be in close enough proximity to cytochrome b(557) in the membrane to inhibit the reduction of the latter.

Journal Article↗

Cytochrome b5 involvement in cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activities in house fly microsomes.

The involvement of cytochrome b5 in different cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and palmitoyl CoA desaturase activities in microsomes from insecticide-resistant (LPR) house flies was determined using a specific polyclonal antiserum developed against house fly cytochrome b5. Anti-b5 antiserum inhibited the reduction of cytochrome b5 by NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase. The antiserum also inhibited palmitoyl CoA desaturase, methoxycoumarin-O-demethylase (MCOD), ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase (ECOD), and benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase (aromatic hydrocarbon hydroxylase, AHH) activities. However, methoxyresorufin-O-demethylase (MROD) and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activities were not affected by this antiserum. These results demonstrate that cytochrome b5 is involved in fatty acyl CoA desaturase activities and in certain cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activities (i.e., MCOD, ECOD, and AHH) in LPR house fly microsomes. Other cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activities (i.e., MROD and EROD) may not require cytochrome b5. The results suggest that cytochrome b5 involvement with cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activities is dependent upon the cytochrome P450 isoform involved.

Animals↗

Primary structure of cytochrome c' of Methylococcus capsulatus Bath: evidence of a phylogenetic link between P460 and c'-type cytochromes.

Cytochrome c' of Methylococcus capsulatus Bath is involved in electron flow from the enzyme responsible for hydroxylamine oxidation, cytochrome P460, to cytochrome C555. This cytochrome is spectrally similar to other cytochromes c' but is larger (16,000 Da) and has a lower midpoint potential (-205 mV). By a combination of Edman degradation, mass spectroscopy, and gene sequencing, we have obtained the primary structure of cytochrome c' from M. capsulatus Bath. The cytochrome shows low sequence similarity to other cytochromes c', only residues R12, Y53, G56, and the C-terminal heme-binding region (GXXCXXCHXXXK) being conserved. In contrast, cytochrome c' from M. capsulatus Bath shows considerable sequence similarity to cytochromes P460 from M. capsulatus Bath (31% identity) and from Nitrosomonas europaea (18% identity). This suggests that P460-type cytochromes may have originated from a c'-type cytochrome which developed a covalent cross-link between a lysine residue and the c'-heme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Observations on the oxidoreduction of the two cytochromes b in cytochrome c-deficient mitochondria and submitochondrial particles.

1. In cytochrome c depleted mitochondria cytochrome bT is reduced rapidly upon addition of ATP or slowly during state 4 respiration, but cytochrome bK is effectively reduced in such mitochondira respiring upon glutamate plus malate in all energy states. In mitochondria or in submitochondrial particles oxidized NADH or succinate, cytochromes bK and bT were always reduced and oxidized independently. 2. Difference spectra for the two b cytochromes were obtained in the presence of respiratory chain inhibitors. Reduced cytochrome bK in the presence of cyanide can be reoxidized by CoQ2. Cytochrome bT reduced in the presence of antimycin can be reoxidized by O2 if rotenone is added to an NADH-reduced sysem or malonate to a succinate-reduced system. There is no evidence for electron transfer between the two b cytochromes. 3. It is suggested that there is no electron transfer from cytochrome bT to cytochrome bK, but that a cytochrome bKbT dimer accepts electrons from the CoQ pool jointly with cytochrome c1 and another acceptor, perhaps the FeS centre. The major steady state species is b2K+b3T+, and a Q-loop occurs with reduction of CoQ by the fully reduced species b2K+b2T+. All proposed interactions between CoQ and Complex III are 2-electron processes and the change from 2-electrons to 1-electron transfer occurs within Complex III itself.

Antimycin A↗

The reaction between cytochrome c1 and cytochrome c.

The kinetics of electron transfer between the isolated enzymes of cytochrome c1 and cytochrome c have been investigated using the stopped-flow technique. The reaction between ferrocytochrome c1 and ferricytochrome c is fast; the second-order rate constant (k1) is 3.0 . 10(7) M-1 . s-1 at low ionic strength (I = 223 mM, 10 degrees C). The value of this rate constant decreases to 1.8 . 10(5) M-1 . s-1 upon increasing the ionic strength to 1.13 M. The ionic strength dependence of the electron transfer between cytochrome c1 and cytochrome c implies the involvement of electrostatic interactions in the reaction between both cytochromes. In addition to a general influence of ionic strength, specific anion effects are found for phosphate, chloride and morpholinosulphonate. These anions appear to inhibit the reaction between cytochrome c1 and cytochrome c by binding of these anions to the cytochrome c molecule. Such a phenomenon is not observed for cacodylate. At an ionic strength of 1.02 M, the second-order rate constants for the reaction between ferrocytochrome c1 and ferricytochrome c and the reverse reaction are k1 = 2.4 . 10(5) M-1 . s-1 and k-1 = 3.3 . 10(5) M-1 . s-1, respectively (450 mM potassium phosphate, pH 7.0, 1% Tween 20, 10 degrees C). The 'equilibrium' constant calculated from the rate constants (0.73) is equal to the constant determined from equilibrium studies. Moreover, it is shown that at this ionic strength, the concentrations of intermediary complexes are very low and that the value of the equilibrium constant is independent of ionic strength. These data can be fitted into the following simple reaction scheme: cytochrome c2+1 + cytochrome c3+ in equilibrium or formed from cytochrome c3+1 + cytochrome c2+.

Animals↗

Flash-induced electron transfer through mitochondrial QH2: cytochrome c oxidoreductase in the presence of bacterial reaction centres and cytochrome c. Analysis of subsequent processes and effect of inhibitors.

In a system containing reaction centres isolated from Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides mutant R26, and variable amounts of horse-heart cytochrome c and bovine-heart mitochondrial QH2: cytochrome c oxidoreductase in a medium containing 2 mM ascorbate and 0.1 microM phenazine methosulphate, electron transfer was induced by a single flash. Three distinct phases of electron transfer can be distinguished: the first event is the oxidation of cytochrome c, and this is followed by an equilibration between cytochrome c, cytochrome c1 and the Rieske [2Fe-2S] cluster. The actual rates of these processes depend on the concentrations of cytochrome c and the reductase. The slower third phase is the oxidation of ubiquinol, which can follow two pathways: one sensitive to antimycin and one sensitive to myxothiazole. The antimycin-sensitive pathway (t1/2 approximately equal to 10 ms) is an equilibration between the Q/QH2 couple and cytochrome b, but may also include a direct reduction of cytochrome b by the QB of the reaction centres. The myxothiazole-sensitive pathway is a coupled reduction of cytochrome b and the Rieske [2Fe-2S] cluster which rapidly equilibrates with cytochromes c1 and c. Both pathways are sensitive to 7-(n-heptadecyl)mercapto-6-hydroxy-5,8-quinoline quinone, but with different affinities. In the absence of inhibitors the initial reduction of cytochrome b (via both pathways) is followed by a net oxidation which is the resultant of a continuing reduction (together with the reduction of the Rieske [2Fe-2S] cluster) and an oxidation (via the antimycin-sensitive site) by quinone. The results are discussed in the light of linear and cyclic models proposed to explain electron transfer between cytochromes b and c. It is concluded that only the Q-cycle model fits the present experimental data.

Chlorophyll↗

Specific binding of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbon inducers of cytochrome P-450d to the cytochrome and inhibition of its estradiol 2-hydroxylase activity.

Treatment of male Sprague-Dawley rats with 3,4,5,3',4',5'-hexabromobiphenyl (HBB) at 10 mumol/kg followed by purification of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450d revealed that HBB remained specifically bound to P-450d throughout purification. Binding was noncovalent since HBB was removed by extraction with dichloromethane. Although HBB induced both cytochrome P-450c and P-450d, specific immunoprecipitation of these isozymes from HBB-treated rats showed that HBB was associated only with cytochrome P-450d. Quantitation of HBB and cytochrome P-450d in microsomes from HBB-treated rats suggested a 0.9:1 ratio of HBB to cytochrome P-450d. Five other halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon inducers of cytochrome P-450d, bearing steric similarity to HBB (including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin), were associated with cytochrome P-450d when used to induce cytochrome P-450d in rats. HBB inhibited estradiol 2-hydroxylase activity of purified cytochrome P-450d in a noncompetitive manner with an I50 of 38 nM for 50 nM P-450d whereas its noncoplanar isomer, 2,4,5,2',4',5'-hexabromobiphenyl, had an I50 over 700-fold higher. Thus certain polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, with the capacity to induce cytochrome P-450d also bind to the cytochrome when used as inducing agents and inhibit catalytic activity of the cytochrome.

Animals↗

The reaction of the trifluoromethylphenylcarbamylated lysine-13 derivative of horse cytochrome c with cytochrome oxidase.

The kinetics of oxidation of horse cytochrome c and the trifluoromethylphenylcarbamylated lysine-13 derivative by cytochrome c oxidase (ferrocytochrome c: oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.9.3.1) were compared using both spectrophotometric and polarographic methods under different experimental conditions. The rate constants measured spectrophotometrically in 0.025 M tris-cacodylate buffers were similar with the two cytochrome at pH 7.8, but those with the derivative were slightly higher at pH 6. Rates measured with polarographic assays in these buffers were the same with the horse and the derivative cytochromes c at pH 6, but at pH 7.8 the rates with the derivative were less at cytochrome c concentrations between 0.05 and 0.5 micro M and were greater at higher concentrations. The pH optima in the polarographic assays of the derivative and the native pigments were different in 0.025 M Tris-cacodylate buffers; in spectrophotometric assays at pH 7.8 the trifluoromethylphenylcarbamylated lysine-13 cytochrome c showed a greater sensitivity to changes in ionic strength than did the native cytochrome. The variations in apparent Km and V values calculated from spectrophotometric and polarographic assays with the two cytochromes cannot be explained as due to changes in binding of cytochrome c to cytochrome oxidase. The large excess of O2 uptake seen in polarographic assays with horse cytochrome c over that expected from spectrophotometric measurements was not apparent with the trifluoromethylphenylcarbamylated lysine-13 derivative. Thus, the derivative seems to have decreased ability to form the combination of cytochrome c with the oxidase giving high turnover rates.

Animals↗

Resonance Raman study of the interactions between cytochrome c variants and cytochrome c oxidase.

The structural changes in oxidized yeast iso-1-cytochrome c and fully oxidized bovine cytochrome c oxidase that are induced upon complex formation have been analyzed by resonance Raman spectroscopy. The main spectral changes could be ascribed to cytochrome c, which in the case of the wild-type protein are essentially the same as previously observed in the complex of horse heart cytochrome c and bovine cytochrome c oxidase [Hildebrandt et al. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 1661-1668]. These spectral changes are attributed to the formation of the conformational state II (approximately 45%) which exhibits an open heme pocket structure. The structural changes are assumed to be induced by the electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged binding domain on cytochrome c oxidase and the positively charged lysine residues on the front surface of cytochrome c. Substituting one of these lysine residues (i.e., Lys-72) by an alanine significantly lowers the state II content (< 15%), implying that this lysine is essential for controlling the conformational equilibrium of the bound protein. On the other hand, the replacement of lysine-79 by alanine only slightly lowers the state II content (approximately 35%). However, the analysis of the spectra suggests that lysine-79 may be involved in controlling conformational details within the heme pocket of the bound cytochrome c. Due to the underlying structural changes and the lowered redox potential, formation of state II may be of functional importance for the physiological electron-transfer process by lowering the reorganization energy and increasing the driving force. The spectral changes caused by complex formation that are attributable to cytochrome c oxidase indicate structural changes of the vinyl and formyl substituents while the ground-state conformations of the porphyrin macrocycles are preserved. This finding implies that the conformational changes in the heme pockets of cytochrome c oxidase are much smaller than those in cytochrome c. These changes refer not only to heme a but also to heme a3, located remote from the cytochrome c binding site, pointing to a long-range structural communication between the binding domain and the oxygen reduction site. The possible functional implications of these structural changes are discussed.

Alanine↗

Stimulation of the respiratory chain of rat liver mitochondria between cytochrome c1 and cytochrome c by glucagon treatment of rats.

Mitochondria from glucagon-treated rats oxidize succinate, but not ascorbate plus tetramethylphenylenediamine, faster in the uncoupled state than do control mitochondria. The rate of O(2) uptake in the presence of both substrates is equal to the sum of the rates of the O(2) uptake in the presence of either substrate alone. It is concluded that the mitochondrial respiratory chain is limited at some point between cytochromes b and c and that this step is regulated by glucagon. Measurement of the cytochrome spectra under uncoupled conditions in the presence of succinate and rotenone demonstrates a crossover between cytochromes c and c(1) when control mitochondria are compared with those from glucagon-treated rats, cytochrome c being more oxidized and cytochrome c(1) more reduced in control mitochondria. Under conditions where pyruvate metabolism is studied the control mitochondria are generally more oxidized than those from glucagon-treated rats, the redox state of cytochrome b-566 correlating with the rate of pyruvate metabolism in sucrose medium. However, when the redox state of the mitochondria is taken into account, a crossover between cytochromes c and c(1) is again apparent. The spectra of the b cytochromes are complex, but cytochrome b-562 appears to become more reduced relative to cytochrome b-566 in mitochondria from glucagon-treated rats than in control mitochondria. This can be explained by the existence of a more alkaline matrix in glucagon-treated rats, the redox potential for cytochrome b being pH-sensitive. It is concluded that glucagon stimulates electron flow between cytochromes c(1) and c. The physiological significance of these findings is discussed.

Animals↗