The X-ray crystal structures of wild-type and EQ(I-286) mutant cytochrome c oxidases from Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Construction of histidine-tagged yeast mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase for facile purification of mutant forms

Yeast CcO (cytochrome c oxidase) has been developed as a facile system for the production and analysis of mutants of a mitochondrial form of CcO for mechanistic studies. First, a 6H tag (His6 tag) was fused to the C-terminus of a nuclear-encoded subunit of CcO from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This allowed efficient purification of a WT (wild-type) mitochondrial CcO, 6H-WT (yeast CcO with a 6H tag on the nuclear-encoded Cox13 subunit), with a recovery yield of 45%. Its catalytic-centre activity [≈180 e·s(-1) (electrons per s)], UV-visible signatures of oxidized and reduced states and ability to form the P(M) ['peroxy' (but actually a ferryl/radical state)] and F (ferryl) intermediates confirm normal functioning of the histidine-tagged protein. Point mutations were introduced into subunit I of the 6H-WT strain. All mutants were screened for their ability to assemble CcO and grow on respiratory substrate. One such mutant [6H-E243DI (the 6H-WT strain with an additional mutation of E243D in mitochondrial DNA-encoded subunit I)] was purified and showed ~50% of the 6H-WT catalytic-centre activity, consistent with the effects of the equivalent mutation in bacterial oxidases. Mutations in both the D and the H channels affect respiratory growth and these effects are discussed in terms of their putative roles in CcO mechanism.

Orientation and conformation of lipids in crystals of transmembrane proteins

Orientational order parameters and individual dihedral torsion angles are evaluated for phospholipid and glycolipid molecules that are resolved in X-ray structures of integral transmembrane proteins in crystals. The order parameters of the lipid chains and glycerol backbones in protein crystals are characterised by a much wider distribution of orientational order than is found in fluid lipid bilayers and reconstituted lipid-protein membranes. This indicates that the lipids that are resolved in crystals of membrane proteins are mostly not representative of the entire lipid-protein interface. Much of the chain configurational disorder of the membrane-bound lipids in crystals arises from C-C bonds in energetically disallowed skew conformations. This suggests configurational heterogeneity of the lipids at a single binding site: eclipsed conformations occur also in the glycerol backbone torsion angles and the C-C torsion angles of the lipid head groups. Conformations of the lipid glycerol backbone in protein crystals are not restricted to the gauche C1-C2 rotamers found invariably in phospholipid bilayer crystals. Lipid head-group conformations in the protein crystals also do not conform solely to the bent-down conformation, with gauche-gauche configuration of the phosphodiester, that is characteristic of phospholipid bilayer membranes. Stereochemical violations in the protein-bound lipids are evidenced by ester carboxyl groups in non-planar configurations, and even in the cis configuration. Some lipids have the incorrect enantiomeric configuration of the glycerol backbone, and many of the branched methyl groups in the phytanyl chains associated with bacteriorhodopsin have the incorrect S configuration.

Mobility of Xe atoms within the oxygen diffusion channel of cytochrome ba(3) oxidase

We use a form of "freeze-trap, kinetic crystallography" to explore the migration of Xe atoms away from the dinuclear heme a(3)/Cu(B) center in Thermus thermophilus cytochrome ba(3) oxidase. This enzyme is a member of the heme-copper oxidase superfamily and is thus crucial for dioxygen-dependent life. The mechanisms involved in the migration of oxygen, water, electrons, and protons into and/or out of the specialized channels of the heme-copper oxidases are generally not well understood. Pressurization of crystals with Xe gas previously revealed a O(2) diffusion channel in cytochrome ba(3) oxidase that is continuous, Y-shaped, 18-20 Å in length and comprised of hydrophobic residues, connecting the protein surface within the bilayer to the a(3)-Cu(B) center in the active site. To understand movement of gas molecules within the O(2) channel, we performed crystallographic analysis of 19 Xe laden crystals freeze-trapped in liquid nitrogen at selected times between 0 and 480 s while undergoing outgassing at room temperature. Variation in Xe crystallographic occupancy at five discrete sites as a function of time leads to a kinetic model revealing relative degrees of mobility of Xe atoms within the channel. Xe egress occurs primarily through the channel formed by the Xe1 → Xe5 → Xe3 → Xe4 sites, suggesting that ingress of O(2) is likely to occur by the reverse of this process. The channel itself appears not to undergo significant structural changes during Xe migration, thereby indicating a passive role in this important physiological function.

Bioenergetics at extreme temperature: Thermus thermophilus ba(3)- and caa(3)-type cytochrome c oxidases

Seven years into the completion of the genome sequencing projects of the thermophilic bacterium Thermus thermophilus strains HB8 and HB27, many questions remain on its bioenergetic mechanisms. A key fact that is occasionally overlooked is that oxygen has a very limited solubility in water at high temperatures. The HB8 strain is a facultative anaerobe whereas its relative HB27 is strictly aerobic. This has been attributed to the absence of nitrate respiration genes from the HB27 genome that are carried on a mobilizable but highly-unstable plasmid. In T. thermophilus, the nitrate respiration complements the primary aerobic respiration. It is widely known that many organisms encode multiple biochemically-redundant components of the respiratory complexes. In this minireview, the presence of the two cytochrome c oxidases (CcO) in T. thermophilus, the ba(3)- and caa(3)-types, is outlined along with functional considerations. We argue for the distinct evolutionary histories of these two CcO including their respective genetic and molecular organizations, with the caa(3)-oxidase subunits having been initially 'fused'. Coupled with sequence analysis, the ba(3)-oxidase crystal structure has provided evolutionary and functional information; for example, its subunit I is more closely related to archaeal sequences than bacterial and the substrate-enzyme interaction is hydrophobic as the elevated growth temperature weakens the electrostatic interactions common in mesophiles. Discussion on the role of cofactors in intra- and intermolecular electron transfer and proton pumping mechanism is also included.

Product-controlled steady-state kinetics between cytochrome aa(3) from Rhodobacter sphaeroides and equine ferrocytochrome c analyzed by a novel spectrophotometric approach

Cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) catalyzes the reduction of molecular oxygen to water using ferrocytochrome c (cyt c(2+)) as the electron donor. In this study, the oxidation of horse cyt c(2+) by CcO from Rhodobacter sphaeroides, was monitored using stopped-flow spectrophotometry. A novel analytic procedure was applied in which the spectra were deconvoluted into the reduced and oxidized forms of cyt c by a least-squares fitting method, yielding the reaction rates at various concentrations of cyt c(2+) and cyt c(3+). This allowed an analysis of the effects of cyt c(3+) on the steady-state kinetics between CcO and cyt c(2+). The results show that cyt c(3+) exhibits product inhibition by two mechanisms: competition with cyt c(2+) at the catalytic site and, in addition, an interaction at a second site which further modulates the reaction of cyt c(2+) at the catalytic site. These results are generally consistent with previous reports, indicating the reliability of the new procedure. We also find that a 6×His-tag at the C-terminus of the subunit II of CcO affects the binding of cyt c at both sites. The approach presented here should be generally useful in spectrophotometric studies of complex enzyme kinetics. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: 17th European Bioenergetics Conference (EBEC 2012).

Assignment of the CO-sensitive carboxyl group in mitochondrial forms of cytochrome c oxidase using yeast mutants

Point mutations of E243D and I67N were introduced into subunit I of a 6histidine-tagged (6H-WT) form of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase. The two mutants (6H-E243D(I) and 6H-I67N(I)) were purified and showed ≈50 and 10% of the 6H-WT turnover number. Light-induced CO photolysis FTIR difference spectra of the 6H-WT showed a peak/trough at 1749/1740cm(-1), as seen in bovine CcO, which downshifted by 7cm(-1) in D(2)O. The bands shifted to 1736/1762cm(-1) in 6H-E243D(I), establishing that the carboxyl group affected by CO binding in mitochondrial CcOs is E243. In 6H-I67N(I), the trough at 1740cm(-1) was shifted to 1743cm(-1) and its accompanying peak intensity was greatly reduced. This confirms that the I67N mutation interferes with conformational alterations around E243. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: 17th European Bioenergetics Conference (EBEC 2012).

Expanding the view of proton pumping in cytochrome c oxidase through computer simulation

In cytochrome c oxidase (CcO), a redox-driven proton pump, protons are transported by the Grotthuss shuttling via hydrogen-bonded water molecules and protonatable residues. Proton transport through the D-pathway is a complicated process that is highly sensitive to alterations in the amino acids or the solvation structure in the channel, both of which can inhibit proton pumping and enzymatic activity. Simulations of proton transport in the hydrophobic cavity showed a clear redox state dependence. To study the mechanism of proton pumping in CcO, multi-state empirical valence bond (MS-EVB) simulations have been conducted, focusing on the proton transport through the D-pathway and the hydrophobic cavity next to the binuclear center. The hydration structures, transport pathways, effects of residues, and free energy surfaces of proton transport were revealed in these MS-EVB simulations. The mechanistic insight gained from them is herein reviewed and placed in context for future studies.

The membrane modulates internal proton transfer in cytochrome c oxidase

The functionality of membrane proteins is often modulated by the surrounding membrane. Here, we investigated the effect of membrane reconstitution of purified cytochrome c oxidase (CytcO) on the kinetics and thermodynamics of internal electron and proton-transfer reactions during O(2) reduction. Reconstitution of the detergent-solubilized enzyme in small unilamellar soybean phosphatidylcholine vesicles resulted in a lowering of the pK(a) in the pH dependence profile of the proton-uptake rate. This pK(a) change resulted in decreased proton-uptake rates in the pH range of ~6.5-9.5, which is explained in terms of lowering of the pK(a) of an internal proton donor within CytcO. At pH 7.5, the rate decreased to the same extent when vesicles were prepared from the pure zwitterionic lipid 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) or the anionic lipid 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho(1-rac-glycerol) (DOPG). In addition, a small change in the internal Cu(A)-heme a electron equilibrium constant was observed. This effect was lipid-dependent and explained in terms of a lower electrostatic potential within the membrane-spanning part of the protein with the anionic DOPG lipids than with the zwitterionic DOPC lipids. In conclusion, the data show that the membrane significantly modulates internal charge-transfer reactions and thereby the function of the membrane-bound enzyme.

The roles of Rhodobacter sphaeroides copper chaperones PCu(A)C and Sco (PrrC) in the assembly of the copper centers of the aa(3)-type and the cbb(3)-type cytochrome c oxidases

The α proteobacter Rhodobacter sphaeroides accumulates two cytochrome c oxidases (CcO) in its cytoplasmic membrane during aerobic growth: a mitochondrial-like aa(3)-type CcO containing a di-copper Cu(A) center and mono-copper Cu(B), plus a cbb(3)-type CcO that contains Cu(B) but lacks Cu(A). Three copper chaperones are located in the periplasm of R. sphaeroides, PCu(A)C, PrrC (Sco) and Cox11. Cox11 is required to assemble Cu(B) of the aa(3)-type but not the cbb(3)-type CcO. PrrC is homologous to mitochondrial Sco1; Sco proteins are implicated in Cu(A) assembly in mitochondria and bacteria, and with Cu(B) assembly of the cbb(3)-type CcO. PCu(A)C is present in many bacteria, but not mitochondria. PCu(A)C of Thermus thermophilus metallates a Cu(A) center in vitro, but its in vivo function has not been explored. Here, the extent of copper center assembly in the aa(3)- and cbb(3)-type CcOs of R. sphaeroides has been examined in strains lacking PCu(A)C, PrrC, or both. The absence of either chaperone strongly lowers the accumulation of both CcOs in the cells grown in low concentrations of Cu(2+). The absence of PrrC has a greater effect than the absence of PCu(A)C and PCu(A)C appears to function upstream of PrrC. Analysis of purified aa(3)-type CcO shows that PrrC has a greater effect on the assembly of its Cu(A) than does PCu(A)C, and both chaperones have a lesser but significant effect on the assembly of its Cu(B) even though Cox11 is present. Scenarios for the cellular roles of PCu(A)C and PrrC are considered. The results are most consistent with a role for PrrC in the capture and delivery of copper to Cu(A) of the aa(3)-type CcO and to Cu(B) of the cbb(3)-type CcO, while the predominant role of PCu(A)C may be to capture and deliver copper to PrrC and Cox11. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Biogenesis/Assembly of Respiratory Enzyme Complexes.

The oxidative phosphorylation system in mammalian mitochondria

The chapter provides a review of the state of art of the oxidative phosphorylation system in mammalian mitochondria. The sections of the paper deal with: (i) the respiratory chain as a whole: redox centers of the chain and protonic coupling in oxidative phosphorylation (ii) atomic structure and functional mechanism of protonmotive complexes I, III, IV and V of the oxidative phosphorylation system (iii) biogenesis of oxidative phosphorylation complexes: mitochondrial import of nuclear encoded subunits, assembly of oxidative phosphorylation complexes, transcriptional factors controlling biogenesis of the complexes. This advanced knowledge of the structure, functional mechanism and biogenesis of the oxidative phosphorylation system provides a background to understand the pathological impact of genetic and acquired dysfunctions of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.

Reconstitution of respiratory oxidases in membrane nanodiscs for investigation of proton-coupled electron transfer

The function of membrane-bound transporters is commonly affected by the milieu of the hydrophobic, membrane-spanning part of the transmembrane protein. Consequently, functional studies of these proteins often involve incorporation into a native-like bilayer where the lipid components of the membrane can be controlled. The classical approach is to reconstitute the purified protein into liposomes. Even though the use of such liposomes is essential for studies of transmembrane transport processes in general, functional studies of the transporters themselves in liposomes suffer from several disadvantages. For example, transmembrane proteins can adopt two different orientations when reconstituted into liposomes, and one of these populations may be inaccessible to ligands, to changes in pH or ion concentration in the external solution. Furthermore, optical studies of proteins reconstituted in liposomes suffer from significant light scattering, which diminishes the signal-to-noise value of the measurements. One attractive approach to circumvent these problems is to use nanodiscs, which are phospholipid bilayers encircled by a stabilizing amphipathic helical membrane scaffold protein. These membrane nanodiscs are stable, soluble in aqueous solution without detergent and do not scatter light significantly. In the present study, we have developed a protocol for reconstitution of the aa(3)- and ba(3)-type cytochrome c oxidases into nanodiscs. Furthermore, we studied proton-coupled electron-transfer reactions in these enzymes with microsecond time resolution. The data show that the nanodisc membrane environment accelerates proton uptake in both oxidases.

Kinetic studies of the reactions of O(2) and NO with reduced Thermus thermophilus ba(3) and bovine aa(3) using photolabile carriers

The reactions of molecular oxygen (O(2)) and nitric oxide (NO) with reduced Thermus thermophilus (Tt) ba(3) and bovine heart aa(3) were investigated by time-resolved optical absorption spectroscopy to establish possible relationships between the structural diversity of these enzymes and their reaction dynamics. To determine whether the photodissociated carbon monoxide (CO) in the CO flow-flash experiment affects the ligand binding dynamics, we monitored the reactions in the absence and presence of CO using photolabile O(2) and NO complexes. The binding of O(2)/NO to reduced ba(3) in the absence of CO occurs with a second-order rate constant of 1×10(9)M(-1)s(-1). This rate is 10-times faster than for the mammalian enzyme, and which is attributed to structural differences in the ligand channels of the two enzymes. Moreover, the O(2)/NO binding in ba(3) is 10-times slower in the presence of the photodissociated CO while the rates are the same for the bovine enzyme. This indicates that the photodissociated CO directly or indirectly impedes O(2) and NO access to the active site in Tt ba(3), and that traditional CO flow-flash experiments do not accurately reflect the O(2) and NO binding kinetics in ba(3). We suggest that in ba(3) the binding of O(2) (NO) to heme a(3)(2+) causes rapid dissociation of CO from Cu(B)(+) through steric or electronic effects or, alternatively, that the photodissociated CO does not bind to Cu(B)(+). These findings indicate that structural differences between Tt ba(3) and the bovine aa(3) enzyme are tightly linked to mechanistic differences in the functions of these enzymes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Respiratory Oxidases.

Gating and regulation of the cytochrome c oxidase proton pump

As a consumer of 95% of the oxygen we breathe, cytochrome c oxidase plays a major role in the energy balance of the cell. Regulation of its oxygen reduction and proton pumping activity is therefore critical to physiological function in health and disease. The location and structure of pathways for protons that are required to support cytochrome c oxidase activity are still under debate, with respect to their requirements for key residues and fixed waters, and how they are gated to prevent (or allow) proton backflow. Recent high resolution structures of bacterial and mammalian forms reveal conserved lipid and steroid binding sites as well as redox-linked conformational changes that provide new insights into potential regulatory ligands and gating modes. Mechanistic interpretation of these findings and their significance for understanding energy regulation is discussed.

Coupled electron and proton transfer reactions during the O→E transition in bovine cytochrome c oxidase

A combined DFT/electrostatic approach is employed to study the coupling of proton and electron transfer reactions in cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) and its proton pumping mechanism. The coupling of the chemical proton to the internal electron transfer within the binuclear center is examined for the O→E transition. The novel features of the His291 pumping model are proposed, which involve timely well-synchronized sequence of the proton-coupled electron transfer reactions. The obtained pK(a)s and E(m)s of the key ionizable and redox-active groups at the different stages of the O→E transition are consistent with available experimental data. The PT step from E242 to H291 is examined in detail for various redox states of the hemes and various conformations of E242 side-chain. Redox potential calculations of the successive steps in the reaction cycle during the O→E transition are able to explain a cascade of equilibria between the different intermediate states and electron redistribution between the metal centers during the course of the catalytic activity. All four electrometric phases are discussed in the light of the obtained results, providing a robust support for the His291 model of proton pumping in CcO.

Active site intermediates in the reduction of O(2) by cytochrome oxidase, and their derivatives

The mechanism of dioxygen activation and reduction in cell respiration, as catalysed by cytochrome c oxidase, has a long history. The work by Otto Warburg, David Keilin and Britton Chance defined the dioxygen-binding heme iron centre, viz. das Atmungsferment, or cytochrome a(3). Chance brought the field further in the mid-1970's by ingenious low-temperature studies that for the first time identified the primary enzyme-substrate (ES) Michaelis complex of cell respiration, the dioxygen adduct of heme a(3), which he termed Compound A. Further work using optical, resonance Raman, EPR, and other sophisticated spectroscopic techniques, some of which with microsecond time resolution, has brought us to the situation today, where major principles of how O(2) reduction occurs in respiration are well understood. Nonetheless, some questions have remained open, for example concerning the precise structures, catalytic roles, and spectroscopic properties of the breakdown products of Compound A that have been called P, F (for peroxy and ferryl), and O (oxidised). This nomenclature has been known to be inadequate for some time already, and an alternative will be suggested here. In addition, the multiple forms of P, F and O states have been confusing, a situation that we endeavour to help clarifying. The P and F states formed artificially by reacting cytochrome oxidase with hydrogen peroxide are especially scrutinised, and some novel interpretations will be given that may account for previously unexplained observations.

Biogenesis of cbb(3)-type cytochrome c oxidase in Rhodobacter capsulatus

The cbb(3)-type cytochrome c oxidases (cbb(3)-Cox) constitute the second most abundant cytochrome c oxidase (Cox) group after the mitochondrial-like aa(3)-type Cox. They are present in bacteria only, and are considered to represent a primordial innovation in the domain of Eubacteria due to their phylogenetic distribution and their similarity to nitric oxide (NO) reductases. They are crucial for the onset of many anaerobic biological processes, such as anoxygenic photosynthesis or nitrogen fixation. In addition, they are prevalent in many pathogenic bacteria, and important for colonizing low oxygen tissues. Studies related to cbb(3)-Cox provide a fascinating paradigm for the biogenesis of sophisticated oligomeric membrane proteins. Complex subunit maturation and assembly machineries, producing the c-type cytochromes and the binuclear heme b(3)-Cu(B) center, have to be coordinated precisely both temporally and spatially to yield a functional cbb(3)-Cox enzyme. In this review we summarize our current knowledge on the structure, regulation and assembly of cbb(3)-Cox, and provide a highly tentative model for cbb(3)-Cox assembly and formation of its heme b(3)-Cu(B) binuclear center. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Biogenesis/Assembly of Respiratory Enzyme Complexes.

The cytochrome bd respiratory oxygen reductases

Cytochrome bd is a respiratory quinol: O₂ oxidoreductase found in many prokaryotes, including a number of pathogens. The main bioenergetic function of the enzyme is the production of a proton motive force by the vectorial charge transfer of protons. The sequences of cytochromes bd are not homologous to those of the other respiratory oxygen reductases, i.e., the heme-copper oxygen reductases or alternative oxidases (AOX). Generally, cytochromes bd are noteworthy for their high affinity for O₂ and resistance to inhibition by cyanide. In E. coli, for example, cytochrome bd (specifically, cytochrome bd-I) is expressed under O₂-limited conditions. Among the members of the bd-family are the so-called cyanide-insensitive quinol oxidases (CIO) which often have a low content of the eponymous heme d but, instead, have heme b in place of heme d in at least a majority of the enzyme population. However, at this point, no sequence motif has been identified to distinguish cytochrome bd (with a stoichiometric complement of heme d) from an enzyme designated as CIO. Members of the bd-family can be subdivided into those which contain either a long or a short hydrophilic connection between transmembrane helices 6 and 7 in subunit I, designated as the Q-loop. However, it is not clear whether there is a functional consequence of this difference. This review summarizes current knowledge on the physiological functions, genetics, structural and catalytic properties of cytochromes bd. Included in this review are descriptions of the intermediates of the catalytic cycle, the proposed site for the reduction of O₂, evidence for a proton channel connecting this active site to the bacterial cytoplasm, and the molecular mechanism by which a membrane potential is generated.

Glu-286 rotation and water wire reorientation are unlikely the gating elements for proton pumping in cytochrome C oxidase

One of the key unresolved issues regarding proton pumping in cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) is the identity of the gating element that prevents the backflow of protons. In this study, we analyze two popular proposals for this element: isomerization of the key branching residue (Glu-286) and (re)orientation of water molecules in the hydrophobic cavity. Using a multifaceted set of computational analyses that involve CcO embedded in either an implicit or explicit treatment of lipid membrane, we show that neither Glu-286 nor active-site water likely constitutes the gating element. Detailed energetic and structural analyses of the simulation results indicate that the gating-relevant properties of these structural motifs observed in previous work are likely a result of the simplified computational models employed in those studies.

Subunit III-depleted cytochrome c oxidase provides insight into the process of proton uptake by proteins

We review studies of subunit III-depleted cytochrome c oxidase (CcO III (-)) that elucidate the structural basis of steady-state proton uptake from solvent into an internal proton transfer pathway. The removal of subunit III from R. sphaeroides CcO makes proton uptake into the D pathway a rate-determining step, such that measurements of the pH dependence of steady-state O(2) consumption can be used to compare the rate and functional pK(a) of proton uptake by D pathways containing different initial proton acceptors. The removal of subunit III also promotes spontaneous suicide inactivation by CcO, greatly shortening its catalytic lifespan. Because the probability of suicide inactivation is controlled by the rate at which the D pathway delivers protons to the active site, measurements of catalytic lifespan provide a second method to compare the relative efficacy of proton uptake by engineered CcO III (-) forms. These simple experimental systems have been used to explore general questions of proton uptake by proteins, such as the functional value of an initial proton acceptor, whether an initial acceptor must be surface-exposed, which side chains will function as initial proton acceptors and whether multiple acceptors can speed proton uptake.

Entrance of the proton pathway in cbb3-type heme-copper oxidases

Heme-copper oxidases (HCuOs) are the last components of the respiratory chain in mitochondria and many bacteria. They catalyze O(2) reduction and couple it to the maintenance of a proton-motive force across the membrane in which they are embedded. In the mitochondrial-like, A family of HCuOs, there are two well established proton transfer pathways leading from the cytosol to the active site, the D and the K pathways. In the C family (cbb(3)) HCuOs, recent work indicated the use of only one pathway, analogous to the K pathway. In this work, we have studied the functional importance of the suggested entry point of this pathway, the Glu-25 (Rhodobacter sphaeroides cbb(3) numbering) in the accessory subunit CcoP (E25(P)). We show that catalytic turnover is severely slowed in variants lacking the protonatable Glu-25. Furthermore, proton uptake from solution during oxidation of the fully reduced cbb(3) by O(2) is specifically and severely impaired when Glu-25 was exchanged for Ala or Gln, with rate constants 100-500 times slower than in wild type. Thus, our results support the role of E25(P) as the entry point to the proton pathway in cbb(3) and that this pathway is the main proton pathway. This is in contrast to the A-type HCuOs, where the D (and not the K) pathway is used during O(2) reduction. The cbb(3) is in addition to O(2) reduction capable of NO reduction, an activity that was largely retained in the E25(P) variants, consistent with a scenario where NO reduction in cbb(3) uses protons from the periplasmic side of the membrane.

Differential effects of glutamate-286 mutations in the aa(3)-type cytochrome c oxidase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides and the cytochrome bo(3) ubiquinol oxidase from Escherichia coli

Both the aa(3)-type cytochrome c oxidase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides (RsCcO(aa3)) and the closely related bo(3)-type ubiquinol oxidase from Escherichia coli (EcQO(bo3)) possess a proton-conducting D-channel that terminates at a glutamic acid, E286, which is critical for controlling proton transfer to the active site for oxygen chemistry and to a proton loading site for proton pumping. E286 mutations in each enzyme block proton flux and, therefore, inhibit oxidase function. In the current work, resonance Raman spectroscopy was used to show that the E286A and E286C mutations in RsCcO(aa3) result in long range conformational changes that influence the protein interactions with both heme a and heme a(3). Therefore, the severe reduction of the steady-state activity of the E286 mutants in RsCcO(aa3) to ~0.05% is not simply a result of the direct blockage of the D-channel, but it is also a consequence of the conformational changes induced by the mutations to heme a and to the heme a(3)-Cu(B) active site. In contrast, the E286C mutation of EcQO(bo3) exhibits no evidence of conformational changes at the two heme sites, indicating that its reduced activity (3%) is exclusively a result of the inhibition of proton transfer from the D-channel. We propose that in RsCcO(aa3), the E286 mutations severely perturb the active site through a close interaction with F282, which lies between E286 and the heme-copper active site. The local structure around E286 in EcQO(bo3) is different, providing a rationale for the very different effects of E286 mutations in the two enzymes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Allosteric cooperativity in respiratory proteins.

The mechanism for proton pumping in cytochrome c oxidase from an electrostatic and quantum chemical perspective

The mechanism for proton pumping in cytochrome c oxidase in the respiratory chain, has for decades been one of the main unsolved problems in biochemistry. However, even though several different suggested mechanisms exist, many of the steps in these mechanisms are quite similar and constitute a general consensus framework for discussing proton pumping. When these steps are analyzed, at least three critical gating situations are found, and these points are where the suggested mechanisms in general differ. The requirements for gating are reviewed and analyzed in detail, and a mechanism is suggested, where solutions for all the gating situations are formulated. This mechanism is based on an electrostatic analysis of a kinetic experiment fior the O to E transition. The key component of the mechanism is a positively charged transition state. An electron on heme a opens the gate for proton transfer from the N-side to a pump loading site (PLS). When the negative charge of the electron is compensated by a chemical proton, the positive transition state prevents backflow from the PLS to the N-side at the most critical stage of the pumping process. The mechanism has now been tested by large model DFT calculations, and these calculations give strong support for the suggested mechanism.

Cytochrome c oxidase and nitric oxide in action: molecular mechanisms and pathophysiological implications

BACKGROUND

The reactions between Complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase, CcOX) and nitric oxide (NO) were described in the early 60's. The perception, however, that NO could be responsible for physiological or pathological effects, including those on mitochondria, lags behind the 80's, when the identity of the endothelial derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and NO synthesis by the NO synthases were discovered. NO controls mitochondrial respiration, and cytotoxic as well as cytoprotective effects have been described. The depression of OXPHOS ATP synthesis has been observed, attributed to the inhibition of mitochondrial Complex I and IV particularly, found responsible of major effects.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

The review is focused on CcOX and NO with some hints about pathophysiological implications. The reactions of interest are reviewed, with special attention to the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of NO observed on cytochrome c oxidase, particularly during turnover with oxygen and reductants.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS AND GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The NO inhibition of CcOX is rapid and reversible and may occur in competition with oxygen. Inhibition takes place following two pathways leading to formation of either a relatively stable nitrosyl-derivative (CcOX-NO) of the enzyme reduced, or a more labile nitrite-derivative (CcOX-NO(2)(-)) of the enzyme oxidized, and during turnover. The pathway that prevails depends on the turnover conditions and concentration of NO and physiological substrates, cytochrome c and O(2). All evidence suggests that these parameters are crucial in determining the CcOX vs NO reaction pathway prevailing in vivo, with interesting physiological and pathological consequences for cells.

Proton-pumping mechanism of cytochrome C oxidase

Cytochrome c oxidase (CcO), as the terminal oxidase of cellular respiration, coupled with a proton-pumping process, reduces molecular oxygen (O(2)) to water. This intriguing and highly organized chemical process represents one of the most critical aspects of cellular respiration. It employs transition metals (Fe and Cu) at the O(2) reduction site and has been considered one of the most challenging research subjects in life science. Extensive X-ray structural and mutational analyses have provided two different proposals with regard to the mechanism of proton pumping. One mechanism is based on bovine CcO and includes an independent pathway for the pumped protons. The second mechanistic proposal includes a common pathway for the pumped and chemical protons and is based upon bacterial CcO. Here, recent progress in experimental evaluations of these proposals is reviewed and strategies for improving our understanding of the mechanism of this physiologically important process are discussed.

Yeast cytochrome c oxidase: a model system to study mitochondrial forms of the haem-copper oxidase superfamily

The known subunits of yeast mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase are reviewed. The structures of all eleven of its subunits are explored by building homology models based on the published structures of the homologous bovine subunits and similarities and differences are highlighted, particularly of the core functional subunit I. Yeast genetic techniques to enable introduction of mutations into the three core mitochondrially-encoded subunits are reviewed.

Three ways in, one way out: water dynamics in the trans-membrane domains of the inner membrane translocase AcrB

Powered by proton-motive force, the inner membrane translocase AcrB is the engine of the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump in Escherichia coli. As proton conduction in proteins occurs along hydrogen-bonded networks of polar residues and water molecules, knowledge of the protein-internal water distribution and water-interacting residues allows drawing conclusions to possible pathways of proton conduction. Here, we report a series of 6× 50 ns independent molecular dynamics simulations of asymmetric AcrB embedded in a phospholipid/water environment. Simulating each monomer in its proposed protonation state, we calculated for each trans-membrane domain the average water distribution, identified residues interacting with these waters and quantified each residue's frequency of water hydrogen bond contact. Combining this information we find three possible routes of proton transfer connecting a continuously hydrated region of known key residues in the TMD interior to bulk water by one cytoplasmic and up to three periplasm water channels in monomer B and A. We find that water access of the trans-membrane domains is regulated by four groups of residues in a combination of side chain re-orientations and shifts of trans-membrane helices. Our findings support a proton release event via Arg971 during the C intermediate or in the transition to A, and proton uptake occurring in the A or B state or during a so far unknown intermediate in between B and C where cytoplasmic water access is still possible. Our simulations suggest experimentally testable hypotheses, which have not been investigated so far.

Adaptation of aerobic respiration to low O2 environments

Aerobic respiration in bacteria, Archaea, and mitochondria is performed by oxygen reductase members of the heme-copper oxidoreductase superfamily. These enzymes are redox-driven proton pumps which conserve part of the free energy released from oxygen reduction to generate a proton motive force. The oxygen reductases can be divided into three main families based on evolutionary and structural analyses (A-, B- and C-families), with the B- and C-families evolving after the A-family. The A-family utilizes two proton input channels to transfer protons for pumping and chemistry, whereas the B- and C-families require only one. Generally, the B- and C-families also have higher apparent oxygen affinities than the A-family. Here we use whole cell proton pumping measurements to demonstrate differential proton pumping efficiencies between representatives of the A-, B-, and C-oxygen reductase families. The A-family has a coupling stoichiometry of 1 H(+)/e(-), whereas the B- and C-families have coupling stoichiometries of 0.5 H(+)/e(-). The differential proton pumping stoichiometries, along with differences in the structures of the proton-conducting channels, place critical constraints on models of the mechanism of proton pumping. Most significantly, it is proposed that the adaptation of aerobic respiration to low oxygen environments resulted in a concomitant reduction in energy conservation efficiency, with important physiological and ecological consequences.

Simple screening method for improving membrane protein thermostability

Biochemical and biophysical analysis on integral membrane proteins often requires monodisperse and stable protein samples. Here we describe a method to characterize protein thermostability by measuring its melting temperature in detergent using analytical size-exclusion chromatography. This quantitative method can be used to screen for compounds and conditions that stabilize the protein. With this technique we were able to assess and improve the thermostability of several membrane proteins. These conditions were in turn used to assist purification, to identify protein ligand and to improve crystal quality.

High resolution structure of the ba3 cytochrome c oxidase from Thermus thermophilus in a lipidic environment

The fundamental chemistry underpinning aerobic life on Earth involves reduction of dioxygen to water with concomitant proton translocation. This process is catalyzed by members of the heme-copper oxidase (HCO) superfamily. Despite the availability of crystal structures for all types of HCO, the mode of action for this enzyme is not understood at the atomic level, namely how vectorial H⁺ and e^- transport are coupled. Toward addressing this problem, we report wild type and A120F mutant structures of the ba₃-type cytochrome c oxidase from Thermus thermophilus at 1.8 Å resolution. The enzyme has been crystallized from the lipidic cubic phase, which mimics the biological membrane environment. The structures reveal 20 ordered lipid molecules that occupy binding sites on the protein surface or mediate crystal packing interfaces. The interior of the protein encloses 53 water molecules, including 3 trapped in the designated K-path of proton transfer and 8 in a cluster seen also in A-type enzymes that likely functions in egress of product water and proton translocation. The hydrophobic O₂-uptake channel, connecting the active site to the lipid bilayer, contains a single water molecule nearest the Cu_B atom but otherwise exhibits no residual electron density. The active site contains strong electron density for a pair of bonded atoms bridging the heme Fe_a3 and Cu_B atoms that is best modeled as peroxide. The structure of ba₃-oxidase reveals new information about the positioning of the enzyme within the membrane and the nature of its interactions with lipid molecules. The atomic resolution details provide insight into the mechanisms of electron transfer, oxygen diffusion into the active site, reduction of oxygen to water, and pumping of protons across the membrane. The development of a robust system for production of ba₃-oxidase crystals diffracting to high resolution, together with an established expression system for generating mutants, opens the door for systematic structure-function studies.

The Q cycle of cytochrome bc complexes: a structure perspective

Aspects of the crystal structures of the hetero-oligomeric cytochrome bc(1) and b(6)f ("bc") complexes relevant to their electron/proton transfer function and the associated redox reactions of the lipophilic quinones are discussed. Differences between the b(6)f and bc(1) complexes are emphasized. The cytochrome bc(1) and b(6)f dimeric complexes diverge in structure from a core of subunits that coordinate redox groups consisting of two bis-histidine coordinated hemes, a heme b(n) and b(p) on the electrochemically negative (n) and positive (p) sides of the complex, the high potential [2Fe-2S] cluster and c-type heme at the p-side aqueous interface and aqueous phase, respectively, and quinone/quinol binding sites on the n- and p-sides of the complex. The bc(1) and b(6)f complexes diverge in subunit composition and structure away from this core. b(6)f Also contains additional prosthetic groups including a c-type heme c(n) on the n-side, and a chlorophyll a and β-carotene. Common structure aspects; functions of the symmetric dimer. (I) Quinone exchange with the bilayer. An inter-monomer protein-free cavity of approximately 30Å along the membrane normal×25Å (central inter-monomer distance)×15Å (depth in the center), is common to both bc(1) and b(6)f complexes, providing a niche in which the lipophilic quinone/quinol (Q/QH(2)) can be exchanged with the membrane bilayer. (II) Electron transfer. The dimeric structure and the proximity of the two hemes b(p) on the electrochemically positive side of the complex in the two monomer units allow the possibility of two alternate routes of electron transfer across the complex from heme b(p) to b(n): intra-monomer and inter-monomer involving electron cross-over between the two hemes b(p). A structure-based summary of inter-heme distances in seven bc complexes, representing mitochondrial, chromatophore, cyanobacterial, and algal sources, indicates that, based on the distance parameter, the intra-monomer pathway would be favored kinetically. (III) Separation of quinone binding sites. A consequence of the dimer structure and the position of the Q/QH(2) binding sites is that the p-side QH(2) oxidation and n-side Q reduction sites are each well separated. Therefore, in the event of an overlap in residence time by QH(2) or Q molecules at the two oxidation or reduction sites, their spatial separation would result in minimal steric interference between extended Q or QH(2) isoprenoid chains. (IV) Trans-membrane QH(2)/Q transfer. (i) n/p-side QH(2)/Q transfer may be hindered by lipid acyl chains; (ii) the shorter less hindered inter-monomer pathway across the complex would not pass through the center of the cavity, as inferred from the n-side antimycin site on one monomer and the p-side stigmatellin site on the other residing on the same surface of the complex. (V) Narrow p-side portal for QH(2)/Q passage. The [2Fe-2S] cluster that serves as oxidant, and whose histidine ligand serves as a H(+) acceptor in the oxidation of QH(2), is connected to the inter-monomer cavity by a narrow extended portal, which is also occupied in the b(6)f complex by the 20 carbon phytyl chain of the bound chlorophyll.

A theoretical investigation of the functional role of the axial methionine ligand of the Cu(A) site in cytochrome c oxidase

The functional roles of the amino acid residues of the Cu(A) site in bovine cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) were investigated by utilizing hybrid quantum mechanics (QM)/molecular mechanics (MM) calculations. The energy levels of the molecular orbitals (MOs) involving Cu d(zx) orbitals unexpectedly increased, as compared with those found previously with a simplified model system lacking the axial Met residue (i.e., Cu(2)S(2)N(2)). This elevation of MO energies stemmed from the formation of the anti-bonding orbitals, which are generated by hybridization between the d(zx) orbitals of Cu ions and the p-orbitals of the S and O atoms of the axial ligands. To clarify the roles of the axial Met ligand, the inner-sphere reorganization energies of the Cu(A) site were computed, with the Met residue assigned to either the QM or MM region. The reorganization energy slightly increased when the Met residue was excluded from the QM region. The existing experimental data and the present structural modeling study also suggested that the axial Met residue moderately increased the redox potential of the Cu(A) site. Thus, the role of the Met may be to regulate the electron transfer rate through the fine modulation of the electronic structure of the Cu(A) "platform", created by two Cys/His residues coordinated to the Cu ions. This regulation would provide the optimum redox potential/reorganization energy of the Cu(A) site, and thereby facilitate the subsequent cooperative reactions, such as the proton pump and the enzymatic activity, of CcO. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Allosteric cooperativity in respiratory proteins.

Kinetic design of the respiratory oxidases

Energy conservation in all kingdoms of life involves electron transfer, through a number of membrane-bound proteins, associated with proton transfer across the membrane. In aerobic organisms, the last component of this electron-transfer chain is a respiratory heme-copper oxidase that catalyzes reduction of O(2) to H(2)O, linking this process to transmembrane proton pumping. So far, the molecular mechanism of proton pumping is not known for any system that is driven by electron transfer. Here, we show that this problem can be addressed and elucidated in a unique cytochrome c oxidase (cytochrome ba(3)) from a thermophilic bacterium, Thermus thermophilus. The results show that in this oxidase the electron- and proton-transfer reactions are orchestrated in time such that previously unresolved proton-transfer reactions could be directly observed. On the basis of these data we propose that loading of the proton pump occurs upon electron transfer, but before substrate proton transfer, to the catalytic site. Furthermore, the results suggest that the pump site alternates between a protonated and deprotonated state for every second electron transferred to the catalytic site, which would explain the noninteger pumping stoichiometry (0.5 H(+)/e(-)) of the ba(3) oxidase. Our studies of this variant of Nature's palette of mechanistic solutions to a basic problem offer a route toward understanding energy conservation in biological systems.

Molecular basis of proton uptake in single and double mutants of cytochrome c oxidase

Cytochrome c oxidase, the terminal enzyme of the respiratory chain, utilizes the reduction of dioxygen into water to pump protons across the mitochondrial inner membrane. The principal pathway of proton uptake into the enzyme, the D channel, is a 2.5 nm long channel-like cavity named after a conserved, negatively charged aspartic acid (D) residue thought to help recruiting protons to its entrance (D132 in the first subunit of the S. sphaeroides enzyme). The single-point mutation of D132 to asparagine (N), a neutral residue, abolishes enzyme activity. Conversely, replacing conserved N139, one-third into the D channel, by D, induces a decoupled phenotype, whereby oxygen reduction proceeds but not proton pumping. Intriguingly, the double mutant D132N/N139D, which conserves the charge of the D channel, restores the wild-type phenotype. We use molecular dynamics simulations and electrostatic calculations to examine the structural and physical basis for the coupling of proton pumping and oxygen chemistry in single and double N139D mutants. The potential of mean force for the conformational isomerization of N139 and N139D side chains reveals the presence of three rotamers, one of which faces the channel entrance. This out-facing conformer is metastable in the wild-type and in the N139D single mutant, but predominant in the double mutant thanks to the loss of electrostatic repulsion with the carboxylate group of D132. The effects of mutations and conformational isomerization on the pKa of E286, an essential proton-shuttling residue located at the top of the D channel, are shown to be consistent with the electrostatic control of proton pumping proposed recently (Fadda et al 2008 Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1777 277-84). Taken together, these results suggest that preserving the spatial distribution of charges at the entrance of the D channel is necessary to guarantee both the uptake and the relay of protons to the active site of the enzyme. These findings highlight the interplay of long-range electrostatic forces and local structural fluctuations in the control of proton movement and provide a physical explanation for the restoration of proton pumping activity in the double mutant.

The D-channel of cytochrome oxidase: an alternative view

The D-pathway in A-type cytochrome c oxidases conducts protons from a conserved aspartate on the negatively charged N-side of the membrane to a conserved glutamic acid at about the middle of the membrane dielectric. Extensive work in the past has indicated that all four protons pumped across the membrane on reduction of O(2) to water are transferred via the D-pathway, and that it is also responsible for transfer of two out of the four "chemical protons" from the N-side to the binuclear oxygen reduction site to form product water. The function of the D-pathway has been discussed in terms of an apparent pK(a) of the glutamic acid. After reacting fully reduced enzyme with O(2), the rate of formation of the F state of the binuclear heme-copper active site was found to be independent of pH up to pH~9, but to drop off at higher pH with an apparent pK(a) of 9.4, which was attributed to the glutamic acid. Here, we present an alternative view, according to which the pH-dependence is controlled by proton transfer into the aspartate residue at the N-side orifice of the D-pathway. We summarise experimental evidence that favours a proton pump mechanism in which the proton to be pumped is transferred from the glutamic acid to a proton-loading site prior to proton transfer for completion of oxygen reduction chemistry. The mechanism is discussed by which the proton-pumping activity is decoupled from electron transfer by structural alterations of the D-pathway. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Allosteric cooperativity in respiratory proteins.

2D-SEIRA spectroscopy to highlight conformational changes of the cytochrome c oxidase induced by direct electron transfer

Potentiometric titrations of the cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) immobilized in a biomimetic membrane system were followed by two-dimensional surface-enhanced IR absorption spectroscopy (2D SEIRAS) in the ATR-mode. Direct electron transfer was employed to vary the redox state of the enzyme. The CcO was shown to undergo a conformational transition from a non-activated to an activated state after it was allowed to turnover in the presence of oxygen. Differences between the non-activated and activated state were revealed by 2D SEIRA spectra recorded as a function of potential. The activated state was characterized by a higher number of correlated transitions as well as a higher number of amino acids associated with electron transfer.

Water molecule reorganization in cytochrome c oxidase revealed by FTIR spectroscopy

Although internal electron transfer and oxygen reduction chemistry in cytochrome c oxidase are fairly well understood, the associated groups and pathways that couple these processes to gated proton translocation across the membrane remain unclear. Several possible pathways have been identified from crystallographic structural models; these involve hydrophilic residues in combination with structured waters that might reorganize to form transient proton transfer pathways during the catalytic cycle. To date, however, comparisons of atomic structures of different oxidases in different redox or ligation states have not provided a consistent answer as to which pathways are operative or the details of their dynamic changes during catalysis. In order to provide an experimental means to address this issue, FTIR spectroscopy in the 3,560-3,800 cm(-1) range has been used to detect weakly H-bonded water molecules in bovine cytochrome c oxidase that might change during catalysis. Full redox spectra exhibited at least four signals at 3,674(+), 3,638(+), 3,620(-), and 3,607(+) cm(-1). A more complex set of signals was observed in spectra of photolysis of the ferrous-CO compound, a reaction that mimics the catalytic oxygen binding step, and their D(2)O and H(2)(18)O sensitivities confirmed that they arose from water molecule rearrangements. Fitting with Gaussian components indicated the involvement of up to eight waters in the photolysis transition. Similar signals were also observed in photolysis spectra of the ferrous-CO compound of bacterial CcO from Paracoccus denitrificans. Such water changes are discussed in relation to roles in hydrophilic channels and proton/electron coupling mechanism.

First-principles molecular dynamics study on the atomistic behavior of His503 in bovine cytochrome c oxidase

We report first-principles molecular dynamics calculations based on density functional theory performed on the entrance part of the D-path pathway in bovine cytochrome c oxidase. Our models, which are extracted from the fully reduced and oxidized X-ray structures, include His503 as a protonatable site. We find that the protonated His503 with the deprotonated Asp91 [H503-N(δ1)H(+) and D91-C(γ)OO(γ)] are more energetically favorable than other protonation states, [H503-N(δ1) and D91-C(γ)OOH], with an energy difference of about -5kcal/mol in reduced case, while the [H503-N(δ1)H+ and D91-C(γ)OO(-)] state is energetically unstable, about +3kcal/mol higher in energy in the oxidized case. The local interaction of His503 with the surrounding polar residues is necessary and sufficient for determining the energetics. The redox-coupled rotation of His503 is found to change the energetics of the protonation states. We also find that this rotation is coupled with the proton transfer from His503 and Asp91, which leads to the transition between the two different protonation states. This study suggests that His503 is involved in the proton supply to the D-path as a proton acceptor and that the redox-controlled proton-transfer-coupled rotation of His503 is a key process for an effective proton supply to the D-path from water bulk. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Allosteric cooperativity in respiratory proteins.

Combined genetic and metabolic manipulation of lipids in Rhodobacter sphaeroides reveals non-phospholipid substitutions in fully active cytochrome c oxidase

A specific requirement for lipids, particularly cardiolipin (CL), in cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) has been reported in many previous studies using mainly in vitro lipid removal approaches in mammalian systems. Our accompanying paper shows that CcO produced in markedly CL-depleted Rhodobacter sphaeroides displays wild-type properties in all respects, likely allowed by quantitative substitution with other negatively charged lipids. To further examine the structural basis for the lipid requirements of R. sphaeroides CcO and the extent of interchangeability between lipids, we employed a metabolic approach to enhance the alteration of the lipid profiles of the CcO-expressing strains of R. sphaeroides in vivo using a phosphate-limiting growth medium in addition to the CL-deficient mutation. Strikingly, the purified CcO produced under these conditions still maintained wild-type function and characteristics, in spite of even greater depletion of cardiolipin compared to that of the CL-deficient mutant alone (undetectable by MS) and drastically altered profiles of all the phospholipids and non-phospholipids. The lipids in the membrane and in the purified CcO were identified and quantified by ESI and MALDI mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry. Comparison between the molecular structures of those lipids that showed major changes provides new insight into the structural rationale for the flexible lipid requirements of CcO from R. sphaeroides and reveals a more comprehensive interchangeability network between different phospholipids and non-phospholipids.

Cardiolipin deficiency in Rhodobacter sphaeroides alters the lipid profile of membranes and of crystallized cytochrome oxidase, but structure and function are maintained

Many recent studies highlight the importance of lipids in membrane proteins, including in the formation of well-ordered crystals. To examine the effect of changes in one lipid, cardiolipin, on the lipid profile and the production, function, and crystallization of an intrinsic membrane protein, cytochrome c oxidase, we mutated the cardiolipin synthase (cls) gene of Rhodobacter sphaeroides, causing a >90% reduction in cardiolipin content in vivo and selective changes in the abundances of other lipids. Under these conditions, a fully native cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) was produced, as indicated by its activity, spectral properties, and crystal characteristics. Analysis by MALDI tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) revealed that the cardiolipin level in CcO crystals, as in the membranes, was greatly decreased. Lipid species present in the crystals were directly analyzed for the first time using MS/MS, documenting their identities and fatty acid chain composition. The fatty acid content of cardiolipin in R. sphaeroides CcO (predominantly 18:1) differs from that in mammalian CcO (18:2). In contrast to the cardiolipin dependence of mammalian CcO activity, major depletion of cardiolipin in R. sphaeroides did not impact any aspect of CcO structure or behavior, suggesting a greater tolerance of interchange of cardiolipin with other lipids in this bacterial system.

Alternative initial proton acceptors for the D pathway of Rhodobacter sphaeroides cytochrome c oxidase

To characterize protein structures that control proton uptake, we assayed forms of cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) containing a carboxyl or a thiol group in line with the initial, internal waters of the D pathway for proton transfer in the presence and absence of subunit III. Subunit III provides approximately half of the protein surrounding the entry region of the D pathway. The N139D/D132N mutant contains a carboxyl group 6 Å within the D pathway and lacks the normal, surface-exposed proton acceptor, Asp-132. With subunit III, the steady-state activity of this mutant is slow, but once subunit III is removed, its activity is the same as that of wild-type CcO lacking subunit III (∼1800 H+/s). Thus, a carboxyl group∼25% within the pathway enhances proton uptake even though the carboxyl has no direct contact with bulk solvent. Protons from solvent apparently move to internal Asp-139 through a short file of waters, normally blocked by subunit III. Cys-139 also supports rapid steady-state proton uptake, demonstrating that an anion other than a carboxyl can attract and transfer protons into the D pathway. When both Asp-132 and Asp/Cys-139 are present, the removal of subunit III increases CcO activity to rates greater than that of normal CcO because of simultaneous proton uptake by two initial acceptors. The results show how the environment of the initial proton acceptor for the D pathway in these CcO forms dictates the pH range of CcO activity, with implications for the function of Asp-132, the normal proton acceptor.

Electron transfer pathways in cytochrome c oxidase

Mixed quantum mechanical/molecular mechanics calculations were used to explore the electron pathway of the terminal electron transfer enzyme, cytochrome c oxidase. This enzyme catalyzes the reduction of molecular oxygen to water in a multiple step process. Density functional calculations on the three redox centers allowed for the characterization of the electron transfer mechanism, following the sequence Cu(A)→heme a→heme a(3). This process is largely affected by the presence of positive charges, confirming the possibility of a proton coupled electron transfer. An extensive mapping of all residues involved in the electron transfer, between the Cu(A) center (donor) and the O(2) reduction site heme a(3)-Cu(B) (receptor), was obtained by selectively activating/deactivating different quantum regions. The method employed, called QM/MM e-pathway, allowed the identification of key residues along the possible electron transfer paths, consistent with experimental data. In particular, the role of arginines 481 and 482 appears crucial in the Cu(A)→heme a and in the heme a→heme a(3) electron transfer processes. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Allosteric cooperativity in respiratory proteins.

Functional effects of mutations in cytochrome c oxidase related to prostate cancer

A number of missense mutations in subunit I of cytochrome c oxidase (CytcO) have previously been linked to prostate cancer (Petros et al., 2005). To investigate the effects of these mutations at the molecular level, in the present study we prepared four different structural variants of the bacterial Rhodobacter sphaeroides CytcO (cytochrome aa(3)), each carrying one amino-acid residue replacement corresponding to the following substitutions identified in the above-mentioned study: Asn11Ser, Ala122Thr, Ala341Ser and Val380Ile (residues Asn25, Ser168, Ala384 and Val423 in the R. sphaeroides oxidase). This bacterial CytcO displays essentially the same structural and functional characteristics as those of the mitochondrial counterpart. We investigated the overall activity, proton pumping and internal electron- and proton-transfer reactions in the structural variants. The results show that the turnover activities of the mutant CytcOs were reduced by at most a factor of two. All variants pumped protons, but in Ser168Thr, Ala384Ser and Val423Ile we observed slight internal proton leaks. In all structural variants the internal electron equilibrium was slightly shifted away from the catalytic site at high pH (10), resulting in a slower observed ferryl to oxidized transition. Even though the effects of the mutations were relatively modest, the results suggest that they destabilize the proton-gating machinery. Such effects could be manifested in the presence of a transmembrane electrochemical gradient resulting in less efficient energy conservation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Allosteric cooperativity in respiratory proteins.

Exploration of the cytochrome c oxidase pathway puzzle and examination of the origin of elusive mutational effects

Gaining detailed understanding of the energetics of the proton-pumping process in cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) is a problem of great current interest. Despite promising mechanistic proposals, so far, a physically consistent model that would reproduce all the relevant barriers needed to create a working pump has not been presented. In addition, there are major problems in elucidating the origin of key mutational effects and in understanding the nature of the apparent pK(a) values associated with the pH dependencies of specific proton transfer (PT) reactions in CcO. This work takes a key step in resolving the above problems, by considering mutations, such as the Asn139Asp replacement, that blocks proton pumping without affecting PT to the catalytic site. We first introduce a formulation that makes it possible to relate the apparent pK(a) of Glu286 to different conformational states of this residue. We then use the new formulation along with the calculated pK(a) values of Glu286 at these different conformations to reproduce the experimentally observed apparent pK(a) of the residue. Next, we take the X-ray structures of the native and Asn139Asp mutant of the Paracoccus denitrificans CcO (N131D in this system) and reproduce for the first time the change in the primary PT pathways (and other key features) based on simulations that start with the observed structural changes. We also consider the competition between proton transport to the catalytic site and the pump site, as a function of the bulk pH, as well as the H/D isotope effect, and use this information to explore the relative height of the two barriers. The paper emphasizes the crucial role of energy-based considerations that include the PT process, and the delicate control of PT in CcO.