Role of quinones in the branch of the Escherichia coli respiratory chain that terminates in cytochrome o

The role of quinones in the cytochrome o branch of the Escherichia coli respiratory chain was investigated by using mutant strains lacking the cytochrome d termine oxidase complex. The only cytochromes present were cytochrome b₅₅₆ and the cytochrome o complex, consisting of cytochrome b₅₅₅-b₅₆₂. Mutant strains missing ubiquinone, menaquinone, or both were constructed in the cytochrome d-minus (cyd) background. The steady-state levels of cytochrome b reduction were examined and compared in these strains to assess the effects of the quinone deficiencies. The data clearly show that a ubiquinone deficiency results in a lower level of cytochrome b reduction in the steady state. The data are consistent with a simple model in which ubiquinone is placed on the dehydrogenase side of all the cytochromes in this branch of the respiratory chain. There is no evidence from these experiments for a role of quinones in the respiratory chain at any site besides this one.