MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, Issue 1 2002
Guang Yang
Abstract 1,140 bp of the complete mitochondrial cytochrome- b gene sequences of baiji (Lipotes vexillifer), franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei), and Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) were determined to address the systematic position and phylogeny of extant river dolphins with combination of homologous sequences of other cetaceans. The neighbor-joining (NJ), maximum parsimony (MP), and maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analyses all identified the river dolphins into three lineages, i. e., Platanista, Lipotes, and Inia+Pontoporia. The Lipotes did not have sister relationship with either Platanista or Inia+Pontoporia, which strongly supported the referral of Lipotes to a separate family, i. e., Lipotidae. There were very high sequence divergences between all river dolphin genera, suggesting a relatively longer period of separation time than those among other odontocete families. [source]

Cytochrome b559 content in isolated photosystem II reaction center preparations

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 10 2003
Inmaculada Yruela
The cytochrome b559 content was examined in five types of isolated photosystem II D1-D2-cytochrome b559 reaction center preparations containing either five or six chlorophylls per reaction center. The reaction center complexes were obtained following isolation procedures that differed in chromatographic column material, washing buffer composition and detergent concentration. Two different types of cytochrome b559 assays were performed. The absolute heme content in each preparation was obtained using the oxidized-minus-reduced difference extinction coefficient of cytochrome b559 at 559 nm. The relative amount of D1 and cytochrome b559,-subunit polypeptide was also calculated for each preparation from immunoblots obtained using antibodies raised against the two polypeptides. The results indicate that the cytochrome b559 heme content in photosystem II reaction center complexes can vary with the isolation procedure, but the variation of the cytochrome b559,-subunit/D1 polypeptide ratio was even greater. This variation was not found in the PSII-enriched membrane fragments used as the RC-isolation starting material, as different batches of membranes obtained from spinach harvested at different seasons of the year or those from sugar beets grown in a chamber under controlled environmental conditions lack variation in their ,-subunit/D1 polypeptide ratio. A precise determination of the ratio using an RC1-control sample calibration curve gave a ratio of 1.25 cytochrome b559,-subunit per 1.0 D1 polypeptide in photosystem II membranes. We conclude that the variations found in the reaction center preparations were due to the different procedures used to isolate and purify the different reaction center complexes. [source]

Mutation of Residue Arginine18 of Cytochrome b559,-Subunit and its Effects on Photosystem II Activities in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 7 2007
Jing-Jing Ma
Abstract It has been known that arginine is used as the basic amino acid in the ,-subunit of cytochrome b559 (Cyt b559) except histidine. However, previous studies have focused on the function of histidine in the activities of photosystem (PS) II and there are no reports regarding the structural and/or functional roles of arginine in PSII complexes. In the present study, two arginine18 (R18) mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were constructed using site-directed mutagenesis, in which R18 was replaced by glutamic acid (E) and glycine (G). The results show that the oxygen evolution of the PSII complex in the R18G and R18E mutants was approximately 60% of wild-type (WT) levels and that, after irradiation at high light intensity, oxygen evolution for the PSII of mutants was reduced to zero compared with 40% in WT cells. The efficiency of light capture by PSII (Fv/Fm) of R18G and R18E mutants was approximately 42%,46% that of WT cells. Furthermore, levels of the ,-subunit of Cyt b559 and PsbO proteins were reduced in thylakoid membranes compared with WT. Overall, these data suggest that R18 plays a significant role in helping Cyt b559 maintain the structure of the PSII complex and its activity, although it is not directly bound to the heme group. [source]

Cytochrome b6f mutation specifically affects thermal dissipation of absorbed light energy in Arabidopsis

THE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 3 2001
Yuri Munekage
Summary Light-induced lumenal acidification controls the efficiency of light harvesting by inducing thermal dissipation of excess absorbed light energy in photosystem II. We isolated an Arabidopsis mutant, pgr1 (proton gradient regulation), entirely lacking thermal dissipation, which was observed as little non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. Map-based cloning showed that pgr1 had a point mutation in petC encoding the Rieske subunit of the cytochrome b6f complex. Although the electron transport rate was not affected at low light intensity, it was significantly restricted at high light intensity in pgr1, indicating that the lumenal acidification was not sufficient to induce thermal dissipation. This view was supported by (i) slow de-epoxidation of violaXanthin, which is closely related to lumenal acidification, and (ii) reduced 9-aminoacridine fluorescence quenching. Although lumenal acidification was insufficient to induce thermal dissipation, growth rate was not affected under low light growth conditions in pgr1. These results suggest that thermal dissipation is precisely regulated by lumenal pH to maintain maximum photosynthetic activity. We showed that pgr1 was sensitive to changes in light conditions, demonstrating that maximum activity of the cytochrome b6f complex is indispensable for short-term acclimation. [source]

Structure at 1.5,Å resolution of cytochrome c552 with its flexible linker segment, a membrane-anchored protein from Paracoccus denitrificans

ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 7 2010
Chitra Rajendran
Electron transfer (ET) between the large membrane-integral redox complexes in the terminal part of the respiratory chain is mediated either by a soluble c -type cytochrome, as in mitochondria, or by a membrane-anchored cytochrome c, as described for the ET chain of the bacterium Paracoccus denitrificans. Here, the structure of cytochrome c552 from P. denitrificans with the linker segment that attaches the globular domain to the membrane anchor is presented. Cytochrome c552 including the linker segment was crystallized and its structure was determined by molecular replacement. The structural features provide functionally important information. The prediction of the flexibility of the linker region [Berry & Trumpower (1985), J. Biol. Chem.260, 2458,2467] was confirmed by our crystal structure. The N-terminal region from residues 13 to 31 is characterized by poor electron density, which is compatible with high mobility of this region. This result indicates that this region is highly flexible, which is functionally important for this protein to shuttle electrons between complexes III and IV in the respiratory chain. Zinc present in the crystallization buffer played a key role in the successful crystallization of this protein. It provided rigidity to the long negatively charged flexible loop by coordinating negatively charged residues from two different molecules and by enhancing the crystal contacts. [source]

Structure of cytochrome c2 from Rhodospirillum centenum

ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 11 2001
A. Camara-Artigas
Cytochrome c2 from the purple photosynthetic bacterium Rhodospirillum centenum has been crystallized by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystals belong to the orthorhombic space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 29.7, b = 59.9, c = 65.4,Å, and diffract to a resolution limit of 1.7,Å. The Fe-atom position was determined from its anomalous scattering contribution and a molecular-replacement solution was calculated. The correctness of the solution was confirmed by parallel isomorphous replacement studies. The resulting model has a type I cytochrome fold with two features, an extended ,-helix and a surface-charge distribution, that are distinctive to this protein. The implications of these structural features for the ability of the cytochrome to serve as an electron carrier are discussed. [source]

Design and Characterisation of an Artificial DNA-Binding Cytochrome

CHEMBIOCHEM, Issue 7 2004
D. Dafydd Jones Dr.
Abstract We aim to design novel proteins that link specific biochemical binding events, such as DNA recognition, with electron transfer functionality. We want these proteins to form the basis of new molecules that can be used for templated assembly of conducting cofactors or for thermodynamically linking DNA binding with cofactor chemistry for nanodevice applications. The first examples of our new proteins recruit the DNA-binding basic helix region of the leucine zipper protein GCN4. This basic helix region was attached to the N and C termini of cytochrome b562(cyt b562) to produce new, monomeric, multifunctional polypeptides. We have fully characterised the DNA and haem-binding properties of these proteins, which is a prerequisite for future application of the new molecules. Attachment of a single basic helix of GCN4 to either the N or C terminus of the cytochrome does not result in specific DNA binding but the presence of DNA-binding domains at both termini converts the cytochrome into a specific DNA-binding protein. Upon binding haem, this chimeric protein attains the spectral characteristics of wild-type cyt b562. The three forms of the protein, apo, oxidised holo and reduced holo, all bind the designed (ATGAcgATGA) target DNA sequence with a dissociation constant, KD, of approximately 90 nM. The protein has a lower affinity (KDca. 370 nM) for the wild-type GCN4 recognition sequence (ATGAcTCAT). The presence of only half the consensus DNA sequence (ATGAcgGGCC) shifts the KDvalue to more than 2500 nM and the chimera does not bind specifically to DNA sequences with no target recognition sites. Ultracentrifugation revealed that the holoprotein,DNA complex is formed with a 1:1 stoichiometry, which indicates that a higher-order protein aggregate is not responsible for DNA binding. Mutagenesis of a loop linking helices 2 and 3 of the cytochrome results in a chimera with a haem-dependent DNA binding affinity. This is the first demonstration that binding of a haem group to a designed monomeric protein can allosterically modulate the DNA binding affinity. [source]

Direct Electrochemistry of Cytochrome,c at Modified Si(100) Electrodes

CHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 20 2010
Simone Ciampi
Abstract This paper demonstrates the direct electron transfer between the heme moiety of horse hearth cytochrome,c and a pyridinyl group on self-assembled-monolayer-modified Si(100) electrodes. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) containing the putative receptor ligand were prepared by a step-wise procedure using "click" reactions of acetylene-terminated alkyl monolayers and isonicotinic acid azide derivatives. Unoxidized Si(100) electrodes, possessing either isonicotinate or isonicotinamide receptor ligands, were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact-angle goniometry, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The ability of isonicotinic acid terminated layers to coordinatively bind the redox center of cytochrome,c was found to be restricted to pyridinyl assemblies with a para -ester linkage present. The protocol detailed here offers an experimentally simple modular approach to producing chemically well-defined SAMs on silicon surfaces for direct electrochemistry of a well-studied model redox protein. [source]

Electroreduction of Oxygen by Cytochrome,c Oxidase Immobilized in Electrode-Supported Lipid Bilayer Membranes

CHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY, Issue 9 2004
Lianyong Su
Cytochrome c oxidase is the terminal enzyme in mammalian respiration, and one of its main functions is to catalyze the reduction of oxygen under physiological conditions. Direct reduction of oxygen at electrodes requires application of substantial overpotentials. In this work, bovine cytochrome c oxidase has been immobilized in electrode-supported lipid bilayer membranes to investigate the electroreduction of oxygen under flow conditions. The effect that temperature, solution pH, and solution composition have on the reduction of oxygen by this novel enzyme-modified electrode is reported. Results indicate that the electroreduction of oxygen is most pronounced at low pH (6.4) and elevated temperature (38°). At an applied potential of ,350,mV vs. Ag/AgCl (1M KCl), a current density of ca. 7,,A/cm2 was obtained. The current responses obtained at these electrodes are stable over a period of ca. 10,14 days (10,15% decrease in response). The cytochrome c oxidase-modified electrodes described here could potentially be used for the direct electroreduction of oxygen to water in a biofuel cell. [source]

Proline-40 is Essential to Maintaining Cytochrome b5, s Stability and Its Electron Transfer with Cytochrome c

CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 11 2002
Zhi-Qian Wang
Abstract In order to illustrate the roles played by Pro40 in the structure, properties and functions of Cytochrome b5, three mutated genes, P40V, P40Y, P40G were constructed in this work. Only the P40V gene was successfully expressed into holoprotein in E. coli JM83. According to the results of X-ray crystallographic analysis and various kinds of spectroscopy studies, it is evident that substituting valine for Pro40 does not result in significant alterations in the protein,s overall structure; however, local conformational perturbations in the proximity of the heme do occur. The redox potential of the P40V mutant is 40 mV lower than that of the wild type protein. Its stability towards heat, urea, acid and ethanol were significantly decreased. The mutation leads to a decrease in the hydrophobicity of the heme pocket, which is probably the major factor contributing to the above changes. Binding constants and electron transfer rates between cytochrome bs and cytochrome c were determined using UV-visible spectroscopy and stopped-flow techniques for both the wild type and the mutant. The results showed that the substitution of Pro40 by valine does not influence the binding constant of cytochrome b5 to cytochrome c; however, the electron transfer rate between them decreased significantly. This indicates that proline-40 is essential to maintaining cytochrome bss stability and its electron transfer with cytochrome c. These studies also provided a good example that property and functional changes of a protein do not necessarily require large overall structural alterations; in most cases, only perturbations on the local conformations are sufficient to induce significant changes in protein,s properties and functions. [source]

Structures of Cytochrome b5 Mutated at the Charged Surface-Residues and Their Interactions with Cytochrome c,

CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 11 2002
Jlan Wu
Abstract Glu44, Glu48, Ghi56 and Asp60 are the negatively charged residues located at the molecular surface of cytochrome b5. Two mutants of cytochrome b5 were prepared, in which two or all of these four residues were mutated to alanines. The mutations give rise to slightly positive shifts of the redox potentials of cytochrome b5 and obvious decrease of the cytochrome b5 -cytochrome c binding constants and electron transfer rates. The crystal structures of the two mutants were determined at 0.18 nm resolution, showing no alteration in overall structures and exhibiting slight changes in the local conformations around the mutation sites as compared with the wild-type protein. Based on the crystal structure of the quadruple-site mutant, a model for the binding of this mutant with cytochrome c is proposed, which involves the salt bridges from Glu37, Glu38 and heme propionate of cytochrome b5 to three lysines of cytochrome c and can well account for the properties and behaviors of this mutant. [source]

Functional studies of an evolutionarily conserved, cytochrome b5 domain protein reveal a specific role in axonemal organisation and the general phenomenon of post-division axonemal growth in trypanosomes

CYTOSKELETON, Issue 1 2009
Helen Farr
Abstract Eukaryotic cilia and flagella are highly conserved structures composed of a canonical 9+2 microtubule axoneme. Several recent proteomic studies of cilia and flagella have been published, including a proteome of the flagellum of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei. Comparing proteomes reveals many novel proteins that appear to be widely conserved in evolution. Amongst these, we found a previously uncharacterised protein which localised to the axoneme in T. brucei, and therefore named it Trypanosome Axonemal protein (TAX)-2. Ablation of the protein using RNA interference in the procyclic form of the parasite has no effect on growth but causes a reduction in motility. Using transmission electron microscopy, various structural defects were seen in some axonemes, most frequently with microtubule doublets missing from the 9+2 arrangement. RNAi knockdown of TAX-2 expression in the bloodstream form of the parasite caused defects in growth and cytokinesis, a further example of the effects caused by loss of flagellar function in bloodstream form T. brucei. In procyclic cells we used a new set of vectors to ablate protein expression in cells expressing a GFP:TAX-2 fusion protein, which enabled us to easily quantify protein reduction and visualise axonemes made before and after RNAi induction. This establishes a useful generic technique but also revealed a specific observation that the new flagellum on the daughter trypanosome continues growth after cytokinesis. Our results provide evidence for TAX-2 function within the axoneme, where we suggest that it is involved in processes linking the outer doublet microtubules and the central pair. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]

Preparative capillary zone electrophoresis using a dynamic coated wide-bore capillary

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 15 2006
Mahmoud M. Yassine
Abstract Preparative capillary zone electrophoresis separations of cytochrome,c from bovine and horse heart are performed efficiently in a surfactant-coated capillary. The surfactant, dimethylditetradecylammonium bromide (2C14DAB), effectively eliminated protein adsorption from the capillary surface, such that symmetrical peaks with efficiencies of 0.7,million plates/m were observed in 50-µm,id capillaries when low concentrations of protein were injected. At protein concentrations greater than 1,g/L, electromigration dispersion became the dominant source of band broadening and the peak shape distorted to triangular fronting. Matching of the mobility of the buffer co-ion to that of the cytochrome,c resulted in dramatic improvements in the efficiency and peak shape. Using 100,mM bis(2-hydroxyethyl)imino-tris(hydroxymethyl)methane phosphate buffer at pH,7.0 with a 100-µm,id capillary, the maximum sample loading capacity in a single run was 160,pmol (2.0,µg) of each protein. [source]

On-line concentration of proteins in pressurized capillary electrochromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 7-8 2005
Zhen Liang
Abstract Pressurized capillary electrochromatography (pCEC) and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) have been hyphenated for protein analysis. Taken cytochrome,c, lysozyme, and insulin as samples, the limits of detection (LODs) for absolute concentrations are 10,11,mol (signal-to-noise ratio S/N = 3) with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of retention time and peak area, respectively, of less than 1.7% and 4.8%. In order to improve the detection sensitivity, on-line concentration by field-enhanced sample-stacking effect and chromatographic zone-sharpening effect has been developed, and parameters affecting separation and detection, such as pH and electrolyte concentration in the mobile phase, separation voltage, as well as enrichment voltage and time, have been studied systematically. Under the optimized conditions, the LODs of the three proteins could be decreased up to 100-fold. In addition, the feasibility of such techniques has been further demonstrated by the analysis of modified insulins at a concentration of 20,,g/mL. [source]

High-efficiency protein extraction from polyacrylamide gels for molecular mass measurement by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 6 2005
Ya Jin
Abstract A simple and fast method of protein extraction from Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB)-stained polyacrylamide gels suited for molecular mass measurement of proteins by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) is reported. Proteins in CBB-stained gel pieces were extracted by a 10-min soaking in 0.1,M NaOH at 25°C. The recovery of this one-step extraction method was 34,73% for proteins <67,kDa. CBB adduction to proteins during mass spectrometric analysis was avoided by a destaining step before the alkaline extraction. The molecular mass values of the extracted proteins coincided with those of purified proteins within ±0.01,0.10% deviation for all the proteins <36,kDa. Because of the high extraction recovery, mass measurement was possible for the proteins extracted from CBB-stained gels with loaded protein quantities as little as 34,ng for cytochrome,c, ,-lactalbumin, myoglobin, ,-lactoglobulin, trypsinogen, and carbonic anhydrase (12.4,29.0,kDa), 340,ng for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (35.6,kDa) and albumin (66.3,kDa). This method provides a highly efficient approach to utilize CBB-stained one- or two-dimensional gels for whole protein analysis using MALDI-TOF-MS. [source]

Proteomic Identification of the Involvement of the Mitochondrial Rieske Protein in Epilepsy

EPILEPSIA, Issue 3 2005
Heike Junker
Summary:,Purpose: Kindled seizures are widely used to model epileptogenesis, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the attainment of kindling status are largely unknown. Recently we showed that achievement of kindling status in the Sprague,Dawley rat is associated with a critical developmental interval of 25 ± 1 days; the identification of this long, well-defined developmental interval for inducing kindling status makes possible a dissection of the cellular and genetic events underlying this phenomenon and its relation to normal and pathologic brain function. Methods: By using proteomics on cerebral tissue from our new rat kindling model, we undertook a global analysis of protein expression in kindled animals. Some of the identified proteins were further investigated by using immunohistochemistry. Results: We report the identification of a modified variant of the Rieske iron-sulfur protein, a component of the mitochondrial cytochrome bc1 complex, whose isoelectric point is shifted toward more alkaline values in the hippocampus of kindled rats. By immunohistochemistry, the Rieske protein is well expressed in the hippocampus, except in the CA1 subfield, an area of selective vulnerability to seizures in humans and animal models. We also noted an asymmetric, selective expression of the Rieske protein in the subgranular neurons of the dorsal dentate gyrus, a region implicated in neurogenesis. Conclusions: These results indicate that the Rieske protein may play a role in the response of neurons to seizure activity and could give important new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of epilepsy. [source]

Compound heterozygosity of two missense mutations in the NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase gene of a Polish patient with type I recessive congenital methaemoglobinaemia

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2003
Dorota Grabowska
Abstract: A case of type I methaemoglobinaemia observed in a Polish subject with compound heterozygosity for two mutations in the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) cytochrome b5 reductase (b5R) gene is described. One is a novel mutation 647T,C which leads to substitution of isoleucine by threonine at position 215 (I215T). This maternal mutation was found in several family members. A previously known mutation, 757G,A, leads to the replacement of valine by methionine at position 252 (V252M). The latter mutation was found also in the father and one of the two brothers. The effects of these mutations were analysed on a model of the human b5R protein obtained by homology modelling. Although both amino acid substitutions are located in the NADH-binding domain, the whole protein structure, especially the region between the flavin adenine dinucleotide and NADH-binding domains, is disturbed. The structural changes in the I215T mutant are less prominent than those in the V252M mutant. We presume that the 647T,C mutation is a type I mutation, however, it has not been observed in the homozygous state. [source]

The structure of the human allo-ligand HLA-B*3501 in complex with a cytochrome p450 peptide: Steric hindrance influences TCR allo-recognition

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 12 2006
Christopher
Abstract Virus-specific T cell populations have been implicated in allo-recognition. The subdominant T cell receptor JL12 recognizes both HLA-B*0801 presenting the Epstein,Barr virus-derived peptide FLRGRAYGL and also HLA-B*3501 presenting the cytochrome p450 self peptide KPIVVLHGY. This cross-reactivity could promote the rejection of HLA-B*3501-positive cells in Epstein,Barr virus-exposed HLA-B*0801 recipients. LC13, the dominant TCR against the HLA-B*0801:FLRGRAYGL complex, fails to recognize HLA-B*3501:KPIVVLHGY. We report the 1.75-Angstrom resolution crystal structure of the human allo-ligand HLA-B*3501:KPIVVLHGY. Similarities between this structure and that of HLA-B*0801:FLRGRAYGL may facilitate cross-recognition by JL12. Moreover, the elevated peptide position in HLA-B*3501:KPIVVLHGY would provide steric hindrance to LC13, preventing it from interacting in the manner in which it interacts with HLA-B*0801:FLRGRAYGL. These findings are relevant to understanding the basis of T cell cross-reactivity in allo-recognition, optimal transplant donor-recipient matching and developing specific molecular inhibitors of allo-recognition. [source]

Uncompromised generation of a specific H-2DM-dependent peptide-MHC class,II complex from exogenous antigen in Leishmania mexicana -infected dendritic cells

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 12 2003
Clare
Abstract Leishmania infection inhibits the capacity of macrophages (M,) to present antigens to CD4+ T cells. Relocation of MHC class,II and H-2DM to the parasitophorous vacuole (PV) and their subsequent degradation by the parasite may contribute to this defect. Dendritic cells (DC) are critical for initiation of primary T cell responses. DC can process Leishmania antigen and elicit Leishmania -specific T cells, but it is unknown whether exposure to Leishmania impairs this capacity. In particular, it is not clear whether DC containing live parasites efficiently process and present antigens. We investigated the ability of mouse bone marrow-derived DC infected with L. mexicana to generate pigeon cytochrome,c (PCC) peptide-MHC class II complexes, using the mAb D4, which recognizes PCC89,104 H-2Ek, and the PCC-specific T cell hybridoma 2B4. We show that H-2DM-dependent complex generation is not compromised by infection and that complexes are fully recognized by specific T cells. We further show that in contrast to infected M,, in infected DC cytoplasmic H-2DM is not down-regulated and not relocated to the parasite-containing vacuole. This observation may explain the continued ability of infected DC to present PCC, and also indicates differences in the habitat of these intracellular parasites in DC compared to M,. [source]

Caspase-dependent and -independent apoptosis of mast cells induced by withdrawal of IL-3 is prevented by Toll-like receptor,4-mediated lipopolysaccharide stimulation

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 8 2003
Hideshi Yoshikawa
Abstract IL-3-dependent mucosal-like mast cells undergo apoptosis upon withdrawal of IL-3. Generally, the apoptosis is mediated by the activation of caspases and inhibited by addition of the pan-caspase inhibitors z-VAD-FMK or BOC-D-FMK. However, DNA fragmentation, a typical characteristic of apoptosis, is not inhibited by z-VAD-FMK or BOC-D-FMK in mast cell apoptosis. In this study, we demonstrate that the apoptosis of mast cells is mediated by both caspase-dependent and -independent mechanisms. The caspase-independent apoptosis is mediated by the translocation of endonuclease,G from mitochondria into nuclei. Withdrawal of IL-3 caused down-regulation of Bcl-xL, resulting in a drop in mitochondrial membrane transition potential followed by the release of cytochrome,c and endonuclease,G from mitochondria. However, stimulation of mast cells through Toll-like receptor,4 (TLR4) by lipopolysaccharide prevented mast cell apoptosis by inducing expression of Bcl-xL. Moreover, the activation of mast cells by LPS is enhanced in the presence of IFN-,, which up-regulates the expression of cell surface TLR4. Taken together, these observations provide evidence that mast cells play importantroles not only in allergic reactions but also in innate immunity recognizing enterobacteria through TLR4, and are regulated differently from allergic inflammation by Th1 cytokines. [source]

Identification and characterization of cytochrome bc1 subcomplexes in mitochondria from yeast with single and double deletions of genes encoding cytochrome bc1 subunits

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 17 2007
Vincenzo Zara
We have examined the status of the cytochrome bc1 complex in mitochondrial membranes from yeast mutants in which genes for one or more of the cytochrome bc1 complex subunits were deleted. When membranes from wild-type yeast were resolved by native gel electrophoresis and analyzed by immunodecoration, the cytochrome bc1 complex was detected as a mixed population of enzymes, consisting of cytochrome bc1 dimers, and ternary complexes of cytochrome bc1 dimers associated with one and two copies of the cytochrome c oxidase complex. When membranes from the deletion mutants were resolved and analyzed, the cytochrome bc1 dimer was not associated with the cytochrome c oxidase complex in many of the mutant membranes, and membranes from some of the mutants contained a common set of cytochrome bc1 subcomplexes. When these subcomplexes were fractionated by SDS/PAGE and analyzed with subunit-specific antibodies, it was possible to recognize a subcomplex consisting of cytochrome b, subunit 7 and subunit 8 that is apparently associated with cytochrome c oxidase early in the assembly process, prior to acquisition of the remaining cytochrome bc1 subunits. It was also possible to identify a subcomplex consisting of subunit 9 and the Rieske protein, and two subcomplexes containing cytochrome c1 associated with core protein 1 and core protein 2, respectively. The analysis of all the cytochrome bc1 subcomplexes with monospecific antibodies directed against Bcs1p revealed that this chaperone protein is involved in a late stage of cytochrome bc1 complex assembly. [source]

Simulation study of methemoglobin reduction in erythrocytes

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 6 2007
Differential contributions of two pathways to tolerance to oxidative stress
Methemoglobin (metHb), an oxidized form of hemoglobin, is unable to bind and carry oxygen. Erythrocytes are continuously subjected to oxidative stress and nitrite exposure, which results in the spontaneous formation of metHb. To avoid the accumulation of metHb, reductive pathways mediated by cytochrome b5 or flavin, coupled with NADH-dependent or NADPH-dependent metHb reductases, respectively, keep the level of metHb in erythrocytes at less than 1% of the total hemoglobin under normal conditions. In this work, a mathematical model has been developed to quantitatively assess the relative contributions of the two major metHb-reducing pathways, taking into consideration the supply of NADH and NADPH from central energy metabolism. The results of the simulation experiments suggest that these pathways have different roles in the reduction of metHb; one has a high response rate to hemoglobin oxidation with a limited reducing flux, and the other has a low response rate with a high capacity flux. On the basis of the results of our model, under normal oxidative conditions, the NADPH-dependent system, the physiological role of which to date has been unclear, is predicted to be responsible for most of the reduction of metHb. In contrast, the cytochrome b5,NADH pathway becomes dominant under conditions of excess metHb accumulation, only after the capacity of the flavin,NADPH pathway has reached its limit. We discuss the potential implications of a system designed with two metHb-reducing pathways in human erythrocytes. [source]

Three mammalian cytochromes b561 are ascorbate-dependent ferrireductases

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 16 2006
Dan Su
Cytochromes b561 are a family of transmembrane proteins found in most eukaryotic cells. Three evolutionarily closely related mammalian cytochromes b561 (chromaffin granule cytochrome b, duodenal cytochrome b, and lysosomal cytochrome b) were expressed in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae,fre1,fre2 mutant, which lacks almost all of its plasma membrane ferrireductase activity, to study their ability to reduce ferric iron (Fe3+). The expression of each of these cytochromes b561 was able to rescue the growth defect of the ,fre1,fre2 mutant cells in iron-deficient conditions, suggesting their involvement in iron metabolism. Plasma membrane ferrireductase activities were measured using intact yeast cells. Each cytochrome b561 showed significant FeCN and Fe3+ -EDTA reductase activities that were dependent on the presence of intracellular ascorbate. Site-directed mutagenesis of lysosomal cytochrome b was conducted to identify amino acids that are indispensable for its activity. Among more than 20 conserved or partially conserved amino acids that were investigated, mutations of four His residues (H47, H83, H117 and H156), one Tyr (Y66) and one Arg (R67) completely abrogated the FeCN reductase activity, whereas mutations of Arg (R149), Phe (F44), Ser (S115), Trp (W119), Glu (E196), and Gln (Q131) affected the ferrireductase activity to some degree. These mutations may affect the heme coordination, ascorbate binding, and/or ferric substrate binding. Possible roles of these residues in lysosomal cytochrome b are discussed. This study demonstrates the ascorbate-dependent transmembrane ferrireductase activities of members of the mammalian cytochrome b561 family of proteins. [source]

Role of the surface charges D72 and K8 in the function and structural stability of the cytochrome c6 from Nostoc sp.

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 13 2005
PCC 711
We investigated the role of electrostatic charges at positions D72 and K8 in the function and structural stability of cytochrome c6 from Nostoc sp. PCC 7119 (cyt c6). A series of mutant forms was generated to span the possible combinations of charge neutralization (by mutation to alanine) and charge inversion (by mutation to lysine and aspartate, respectively) in these positions. All forms of cyt c6 were functionally characterized by laser flash absorption spectroscopy, and their stability was probed by urea-induced folding equilibrium relaxation experiments and differential scanning calorimetry. Neutralization or inversion of the positive charge at position K8 reduced the efficiency of electron transfer to photosystem I. This effect could not be reversed by compensating for the change in global charge that had been introduced by the mutation, indicating a specific role for K8 in the formation of the electron transfer complex between cyt c6 and photosystem I. Replacement of D72 by asparagine or lysine increased the efficiency of electron transfer to photosystem I, but destabilized the protein. D72 apparently participates in electrostatic interactions that stabilize the structure of cyt c6. The destabilizing effect was reduced when aspartate was replaced by the small amino acid alanine. Complementing the mutation D72A with a charge neutralization or inversion at position K8 led to mutant forms of cyt c6 that were more stable than the wild-type under all tested conditions. [source]

Binding of ligands originates small perturbations on the microscopic thermodynamic properties of a multicentre redox protein

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 9 2005
Carlos A. Salgueiro
NMR and visible spectroscopy coupled to redox measurements were used to determine the equilibrium thermodynamic properties of the four haems in cytochrome c3 under conditions in which the protein was bound to ligands, the small anion phosphate and the protein rubredoxin with the iron in the active site replaced by zinc. Comparison of these results with data for the isolated cytochrome shows that binding of ligands causes only small changes in the reduction potentials of the haems and their pairwise interactions, and also that the redox-sensitive acid,base centre responsible for the redox,Bohr effect is essentially unaffected. Although neither of the ligands tested is a physiological partner of cytochrome c3, the small changes observed for the thermodynamic properties of cytochrome c3 bound to these ligands vs. the unbound state, indicate that the thermodynamic properties measured for the isolated protein are relevant for a physiological interpretation of the role of this cytochrome in the bioenergetic metabolism of Desulfovibrio. [source]

Functional implications of pigments bound to a cyanobacterial cytochrome b6f complex

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 2 2005
Stephan-Olav Wenk
A highly purified cytochrome b6f complex from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 selectively binds one chlorophyll a and one carotenoid in analogy to the recent published structure from two other b6f complexes. The unknown function of these pigments was elucidated by spectroscopy and site-directed mutagenesis. Low-temperature redox difference spectroscopy showed red shifts in the chlorophyll and carotenoid spectra upon reduction of cytochrome b6, which indicates coupling of these pigments with the heme groups and thereby with the electron transport. This is supported by the correlated kinetics of these redox reactions and also by the distinct orientation of the chlorophyll molecule with respect to the heme cofactors as shown by linear dichroism spectroscopy. The specific role of the carotenoid echinenone for the cytochrome b6f complex of Synechocystis 6803 was elucidated by a mutant lacking the last step of echinenone biosynthesis. The isolated mutant complex preferentially contained a carotenoid with 0, 1 or 2 hydroxyl groups (most likely 9- cis isomers of ,-carotene, a monohydroxy carotenoid and zeaxanthin, respectively) instead. This indicates a substantial role of the carotenoid , possibly for strucure and assembly , and a specificity of its binding site which is different from those in most other oxygenic photosynthetic organisms. In summary, both pigments are probably involved in the structure, but may also contribute to the dynamics of the cytochrome b6f complex. [source]

Functional characterization of the evolutionarily divergent fern plastocyanin

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 16 2004
José A. Navarro
Plastocyanin (Pc) is a soluble copper protein that transfers electrons from cytochrome b6f to photosystem I (PSI), two protein complexes that are localized in the thylakoid membranes in chloroplasts. The surface electrostatic potential distribution of Pc plays a key role in complex formation with the membrane-bound partners. It is practically identical for Pcs from plants and green algae, but is quite different for Pc from ferns. Here we report on a laser flash kinetic analysis of PSI reduction by Pc from various eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. The reaction of fern Pc with fern PSI fits a two-step kinetic model, consisting of complex formation and electron transfer, whereas other plant systems exhibit a mechanism that requires an additional intracomplex rearrangement step. The fern Pc interacts inefficiently with spinach PSI, showing no detectable complex formation. This can be explained by assuming that the unusual surface charge distribution of fern Pc impairs the interaction. Fern PSI behaves in a similar way as spinach PSI in reaction with other Pcs. The reactivity of fern Pc towards several soluble c -type cytochromes, including cytochrome f, has been analysed by flavin-photosensitized laser flash photolysis, demonstrating that the specific surface motifs for the interaction with cytochrome f are conserved in fern Pc. [source]

Cytochrome b559 content in isolated photosystem II reaction center preparations

The influence of temperature and osmolyte on the catalytic cycle of cytochrome c oxidase

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 2 2003
Jack A. Kornblatt
The influence of temperature on cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) catalytic activity was studied in the temperature range 240,308 K. Temperatures below 273 K required the inclusion of the osmolyte ethylene glycol. For steady-state activity between 278 and 308 K the activation energy was 12 kcal·mol,1; the molecular activity or turnover number was 12 s,1 at 280 K in the absence of ethylene glycol. CCO activity was studied between 240 and 277 K in the presence of ethylene glycol. The activation energy was 30 kcal·mol,1; the molecular activity was 1 s,1 at 280 K. Ethylene glycol inhibits CCO by lowering the activity of water. The rate limitation in electron transfer (ET) was not associated with ET into the CCO as cytochrome a was predominantly reduced in the aerobic steady state. The activity of CCO in flash-induced oxidation experiments was studied in the low temperature range in the presence of ethylene glycol. Flash photolysis of the reduced CO complex in the presence of oxygen resulted in three discernable processes. At 273 K the rate constants were 1500 s,1, 150 s,1 and 30 s,1 and these dropped to 220 s,1, 27 s,1 and 3 s,1 at 240 K. The activation energies were 5 kcal·mol,1, 7 kcal·mol,1, and 8 kcal·mol,1, respectively. The fastest rate we ascribe to the oxidation of cytochrome a3, the intermediate rate to cytochrome a oxidation and the slowest rate to the re-reduction of cytochrome a followed by its oxidation. There are two comparisons that are important: (a) with vs. without ethylene glycol and (b) steady state vs. flash-induced oxidation. When one makes these two comparisons it is clear that the CCO only senses the presence of osmolyte during the reductive portion of the catalytic cycle. In the present work that would mean after a flash-induced oxidation and the start of the next reduction/oxidation cycle. [source]

Role of the N- and C-terminal regions of the PufX protein in the structural organization of the photosynthetic core complex of Rhodobacter sphaeroides

FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 7 2002
Francesco Francia
The core complex of Rhodobacter sphaeroides is formed by the association of the light-harvesting antenna 1 (LH1) and the reaction center (RC). The PufX protein is essential for photosynthetic growth; it is located within the core in a 1 : 1 stoichiometry with the RC. PufX is required for a fast ubiquinol exchange between the QB site of the RC and the Qo site of the cytochrome bc1 complex. In vivo the LH1,PufX,RC complex is assembled in a dimeric form, where PufX is involved as a structural organizer. We have modified the PufX protein at the N and the C-terminus with progressive deletions. The nine mutants obtained have been characterized for their ability for photosynthetic growth, the insertion of PufX in the core LH1,RC complex, the stability of the dimers and the kinetics of flash-induced reduction of cytochrome b561 of the cytochrome bc1 complex. Deletion of 18 residues at the N-terminus destabilizes the dimer in vitro without preventing photosynthetic growth. The dimer (or a stable dimer) does not seem to be a necessary requisite for the photosynthetic phenotype. Partial C-terminal deletions impede the insertion of PufX, while the complete absence of the C-terminus leads to the insertion of a PufX protein composed of only its first 53 residues and does not affect the photosynthetic growth of the bacterium. Overall, the results point to a complex role of the N and C domains in the structural organization of the core complex; the N-terminus is suggested to be responsible mainly for dimerization, while the C-terminus is thought to be involved mainly in PufX assembly. [source]