The coupling of electron transfer and proton translocation: electrostatic calculations on Paracoccus denitrificans cytochrome c oxidase. 1998

A Kannt, and C R Lancaster, and H Michel
Abteilung Molekulare Membranbiologie, Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysik, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

We have calculated the electrostatic potential and interaction energies of ionizable groups and analyzed the response of the protein environment to redox changes in Paracoccus denitrificans cytochrome c oxidase by using a continuum dielectric model and finite difference technique. Subsequent Monte Carlo sampling of protonation states enabled us to calculate the titration curves of all protonatable groups in the enzyme complex. Inclusion of a model membrane allowed us to restrict the calculations to the functionally essential subunits I and II. Some residues were calculated to have complex titration curves, as a result of strong electrostatic coupling, desolvation, and dipolar interactions. Around the heme a3-CuB binuclear center, we have identified a cluster of 18 strongly interacting residues that account for most of the proton uptake linked to electron transfer. This was calculated to be between 0.7 and 1.1 H+ per electron, depending on the redox transition considered. A hydroxide ion bound to CuB was determined to become protonated to form water upon transfer of the first electron to the binuclear site. The bulk of the protonation changes linked to further reduction of the heme a3-CuB center was calculated to be due to proton uptake by the interacting cluster and Glu(II-78). Upon formation of the three-electron reduced state (P1), His325, modeled in an alternative orientation away from CuB, was determined to become protonated. The agreement of these results with experiment and their relevance in the light of possible mechanisms of redox-coupled proton transfer are discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008958 Models, Molecular Models used experimentally or theoretically to study molecular shape, electronic properties, or interactions; includes analogous molecules, computer-generated graphics, and mechanical structures. Molecular Models,Model, Molecular,Molecular Model
D010084 Oxidation-Reduction A chemical reaction in which an electron is transferred from one molecule to another. The electron-donating molecule is the reducing agent or reductant; the electron-accepting molecule is the oxidizing agent or oxidant. Reducing and oxidizing agents function as conjugate reductant-oxidant pairs or redox pairs (Lehninger, Principles of Biochemistry, 1982, p471). Redox,Oxidation Reduction
D010231 Paracoccus denitrificans A species of bacteria isolated from soil. Micrococcus denitrificans
D011487 Protein Conformation The characteristic 3-dimensional shape of a protein, including the secondary, supersecondary (motifs), tertiary (domains) and quaternary structure of the peptide chain. PROTEIN STRUCTURE, QUATERNARY describes the conformation assumed by multimeric proteins (aggregates of more than one polypeptide chain). Conformation, Protein,Conformations, Protein,Protein Conformations
D002384 Catalysis The facilitation of a chemical reaction by material (catalyst) that is not consumed by the reaction. Catalyses
D002462 Cell Membrane The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Plasma Membrane,Cytoplasmic Membrane,Cell Membranes,Cytoplasmic Membranes,Membrane, Cell,Membrane, Cytoplasmic,Membrane, Plasma,Membranes, Cell,Membranes, Cytoplasmic,Membranes, Plasma,Plasma Membranes
D003576 Electron Transport Complex IV A multisubunit enzyme complex containing CYTOCHROME A GROUP; CYTOCHROME A3; two copper atoms; and 13 different protein subunits. It is the terminal oxidase complex of the RESPIRATORY CHAIN and collects electrons that are transferred from the reduced CYTOCHROME C GROUP and donates them to molecular OXYGEN, which is then reduced to water. The redox reaction is simultaneously coupled to the transport of PROTONS across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Cytochrome Oxidase,Cytochrome aa3,Cytochrome-c Oxidase,Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit III,Cytochrome a,a3,Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit VIa,Cytochrome-c Oxidase (Complex IV),Cytochrome-c Oxidase Subunit III,Cytochrome-c Oxidase Subunit IV,Ferrocytochrome c Oxygen Oxidoreductase,Heme aa3 Cytochrome Oxidase,Pre-CTOX p25,Signal Peptide p25-Subunit IV Cytochrome Oxidase,Subunit III, Cytochrome Oxidase,p25 Presequence Peptide-Cytochrome Oxidase,Cytochrome c Oxidase,Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit III,Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit IV,Oxidase, Cytochrome,Oxidase, Cytochrome-c,Signal Peptide p25 Subunit IV Cytochrome Oxidase,p25 Presequence Peptide Cytochrome Oxidase
D004579 Electron Transport The process by which ELECTRONS are transported from a reduced substrate to molecular OXYGEN. (From Bennington, Saunders Dictionary and Encyclopedia of Laboratory Medicine and Technology, 1984, p270) Respiratory Chain,Chain, Respiratory,Chains, Respiratory,Respiratory Chains,Transport, Electron
D006418 Heme The color-furnishing portion of hemoglobin. It is found free in tissues and as the prosthetic group in many hemeproteins. Ferroprotoporphyrin,Protoheme,Haem,Heme b,Protoheme IX
D013816 Thermodynamics A rigorously mathematical analysis of energy relationships (heat, work, temperature, and equilibrium). It describes systems whose states are determined by thermal parameters, such as temperature, in addition to mechanical and electromagnetic parameters. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 12th ed) Thermodynamic

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