On the role of the K-proton transfer pathway in cytochrome c oxidase

Magnus Brändén, Håkan Sigurdson, Andreas Namslauer, Robert B. Gennis, Pia Ädelroth, Peter Brzezinski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Cytochrome c oxidase is a membrane-bound enzyme that catalyzes the four-electron reduction of oxygen to water. This highly exergonic reaction drives proton pumping across the membrane. One of the key questions associated with the function of cytochrome c oxidase is how the transfer of electrons and protons is coupled and how proton transfer is controlled by the enzyme. In this study we focus on the function of one of the proton transfer pathways of the R. sphaeroides enzyme, the so-called K-proton transfer pathway (containing a highly conserved Lys(I-362) residue), leading from the protein surface to the catalytic site. We have investigated the kinetics of the reaction of the reduced enzyme with oxygen in mutants of the enzyme in which a residue [Ser(I-299)] near the entry point of the pathway was modified with the use of site-directed mutagenesis. The results show that during the initial steps of oxygen reduction, electron transfer to the catalytic site (to form the "peroxy" state, Pr) requires charge compensation through the proton pathway, but no proton uptake from the bulk solution. The charge compensation is proposed to involve a movement of the K(I-362) side chain toward the binuclear center. Thus, in contrast to what has been assumed previously, the results indicate that the K-pathway is used during oxygen reduction and that K(I-362) is charged at pH ≈ 7.5. The movement of the Lys is proposed to regulate proton transfer by "shutting off" the protonic connectivity through the K-pathway after initiation of the O2 reduction chemistry. This "shutoff" prevents a short-circuit of the proton-pumping machinery of the enzyme during the subsequent reaction steps.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5013-5018
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume98
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 24 2001

Keywords

  • Flash photolysis
  • Flow-flash
  • Gating
  • Proton pumping cytochrome aa
  • R. sphaeroides

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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