1
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Tikhonov AN. The cytochrome b 6f complex: plastoquinol oxidation and regulation of electron transport in chloroplasts. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2024; 159:203-227. [PMID: 37369875 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-023-01034-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
In oxygenic photosynthetic systems, the cytochrome b6f (Cytb6f) complex (plastoquinol:plastocyanin oxidoreductase) is a heart of the hub that provides connectivity between photosystems (PS) II and I. In this review, the structure and function of the Cytb6f complex are briefly outlined, being focused on the mechanisms of a bifurcated (two-electron) oxidation of plastoquinol (PQH2). In plant chloroplasts, under a wide range of experimental conditions (pH and temperature), a diffusion of PQH2 from PSII to the Cytb6f does not limit the intersystem electron transport. The overall rate of PQH2 turnover is determined mainly by the first step of the bifurcated oxidation of PQH2 at the catalytic site Qo, i.e., the reaction of electron transfer from PQH2 to the Fe2S2 cluster of the high-potential Rieske iron-sulfur protein (ISP). This point has been supported by the quantum chemical analysis of PQH2 oxidation within the framework of a model system including the Fe2S2 cluster of the ISP and surrounding amino acids, the low-potential heme b6L, Glu78 and 2,3,5-trimethylbenzoquinol (the tail-less analog of PQH2). Other structure-function relationships and mechanisms of electron transport regulation of oxygenic photosynthesis associated with the Cytb6f complex are briefly outlined: pH-dependent control of the intersystem electron transport and the regulatory balance between the operation of linear and cyclic electron transfer chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander N Tikhonov
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Physics, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation, 119991.
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2
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Ježek P, Jabůrek M, Holendová B, Engstová H, Dlasková A. Mitochondrial Cristae Morphology Reflecting Metabolism, Superoxide Formation, Redox Homeostasis, and Pathology. Antioxid Redox Signal 2023; 39:635-683. [PMID: 36793196 PMCID: PMC10615093 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2022.0173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Significance: Mitochondrial (mt) reticulum network in the cell possesses amazing ultramorphology of parallel lamellar cristae, formed by the invaginated inner mitochondrial membrane. Its non-invaginated part, the inner boundary membrane (IBM) forms a cylindrical sandwich with the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM). Crista membranes (CMs) meet IBM at crista junctions (CJs) of mt cristae organizing system (MICOS) complexes connected to OMM sorting and assembly machinery (SAM). Cristae dimensions, shape, and CJs have characteristic patterns for different metabolic regimes, physiological and pathological situations. Recent Advances: Cristae-shaping proteins were characterized, namely rows of ATP-synthase dimers forming the crista lamella edges, MICOS subunits, optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) isoforms and mitochondrial genome maintenance 1 (MGM1) filaments, prohibitins, and others. Detailed cristae ultramorphology changes were imaged by focused-ion beam/scanning electron microscopy. Dynamics of crista lamellae and mobile CJs were demonstrated by nanoscopy in living cells. With tBID-induced apoptosis a single entirely fused cristae reticulum was observed in a mitochondrial spheroid. Critical Issues: The mobility and composition of MICOS, OPA1, and ATP-synthase dimeric rows regulated by post-translational modifications might be exclusively responsible for cristae morphology changes, but ion fluxes across CM and resulting osmotic forces might be also involved. Inevitably, cristae ultramorphology should reflect also mitochondrial redox homeostasis, but details are unknown. Disordered cristae typically reflect higher superoxide formation. Future Directions: To link redox homeostasis to cristae ultramorphology and define markers, recent progress will help in uncovering mechanisms involved in proton-coupled electron transfer via the respiratory chain and in regulation of cristae architecture, leading to structural determination of superoxide formation sites and cristae ultramorphology changes in diseases. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 39, 635-683.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Ježek
- Department No. 75, Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Jabůrek
- Department No. 75, Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Blanka Holendová
- Department No. 75, Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Engstová
- Department No. 75, Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Dlasková
- Department No. 75, Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
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3
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Havens J, Su T, Wang Q, Yu CA, Yu L, Durham B, Millett F. Photoinduced electron transfer in cytochrome bc 1: Dynamics of rotation of the Iron-sulfur protein during bifurcated electron transfer from ubiquinol to cytochrome c 1 and cytochrome b L. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. BIOENERGETICS 2023; 1864:148957. [PMID: 36709837 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2023.148957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The electron transfer reactions within wild-type Rhodobacter sphaeroides cytochrome bc1 (cyt bc1) were studied using a binuclear ruthenium complex to rapidly photooxidize cyt c1. When cyt c1, the iron‑sulfur center Fe2S2, and cyt bH were reduced before the reaction, photooxidation of cyt c1 led to electron transfer from Fe2S2 to cyt c1 with a rate constant of ka = 80,000 s-1, followed by bifurcated reduction of both Fe2S2 and cyt bL by QH2 in the Qo site with a rate constant of k2 = 3000 s-1. The resulting Q then traveled from the Qo site to the Qi site and oxidized one equivalent each of cyt bL and cyt bH with a rate constant of k3 = 340 s-1. The rate constant ka was decreased in a nonlinear fashion by a factor of 53 as the viscosity was increased to 13.7. A mechanism that is consistent with the effect of viscosity involves rotational diffusion of the iron‑sulfur protein from the b state with reduced Fe2S2 close to cyt bL to one or more intermediate states, followed by rotation to the final c1 state with Fe2S2 close to cyt c1, and rapid electron transfer to cyt c1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Havens
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States of America; Vaccines and Therapeutics Division, Chemical and Biological Technologies, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060, United States of America
| | - Ting Su
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, United States of America; ABclonal Technology Woburn, MA 01801, United States of America
| | - Qiyu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, United States of America; Vesigen Therapeutics Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Chang-An Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, United States of America
| | - Linda Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, United States of America
| | - Bill Durham
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States of America
| | - Francis Millett
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, United States of America.
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The evolution of the human mitochondrial bc1 complex- adaptation for reduced rate of superoxide production? J Bioenerg Biomembr 2023; 55:15-31. [PMID: 36737563 DOI: 10.1007/s10863-023-09957-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The mitochondrial bc1 complex is a major source of mitochondrial superoxide. While bc1-generated superoxide plays a beneficial signaling role, excess production of superoxide lead to aging and degenerative diseases. The catalytic core of bc1 comprises three peptides -cytochrome b, Fe-S protein, and cytochrome c1. All three core peptides exhibit accelerated evolution in anthropoid primates. It has been suggested that the evolution of cytochrome b in anthropoids was driven by a pressure to reduce the production of superoxide. In humans, the bc1 core peptides exhibit anthropoid-specific substitutions that are clustered near functionally critical sites that may affect the production of superoxide. Here we compare the high-resolution structures of bovine, mouse, sheep and human bc1 to identify structural changes that are associated with human-specific substitutions. Several cytochrome b substitutions in humans alter its interactions with other subunits. Most significantly, there is a cluster of seven substitutions, in cytochrome b, the Fe-S protein, and cytochrome c1 that affect the interactions between these proteins at the tether arm of the Fe-S protein and may alter the rate of ubiquinone oxidation and the rate of superoxide production. Another cluster of substitutions near heme bH and the ubiquinone reduction site, Qi, may affect the rate of ubiquinone reduction and thus alter the rate of superoxide production. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that cytochrome b in humans (and other anthropoid primates) evolve to reduce the rate of production of superoxide thus enabling the exceptional longevity and exceptional cognitive ability of humans.
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Husen P, Solov'yov IA. Modeling the Energy Landscape of Side Reactions in the Cytochrome bc 1 Complex. Front Chem 2021; 9:643796. [PMID: 34095083 PMCID: PMC8170094 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.643796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Much of the metabolic molecular machinery responsible for energy transduction processes in living organisms revolves around a series of electron and proton transfer processes. The highly redox active enzymes can, however, also pose a risk of unwanted side reactions leading to reactive oxygen species, which are harmful to cells and are a factor in aging and age-related diseases. Using extensive quantum and classical computational modeling, we here show evidence of a particular superoxide production mechanism through stray reactions between molecular oxygen and a semiquinone reaction intermediate bound in the mitochondrial complex III of the electron transport chain, also known as the cytochrome b c 1 complex. Free energy calculations indicate a favorable electron transfer from semiquinone occurring at low rates under normal circumstances. Furthermore, simulations of the product state reveal that superoxide formed at the Q o -site exclusively leaves the b c 1 complex at the positive side of the membrane and escapes into the intermembrane space of mitochondria, providing a critical clue in further studies of the harmful effects of mitochondrial superoxide production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Husen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Ilia A Solov'yov
- Department of Physics, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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6
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Sarewicz M, Pintscher S, Bujnowicz Ł, Wolska M, Artur Osyczka. The High-Spin Heme b L Mutant Exposes Dominant Reaction Leading to the Formation of the Semiquinone Spin-Coupled to the [2Fe-2S] + Cluster at the Q o Site of Rhodobacter capsulatus Cytochrome bc 1. Front Chem 2021; 9:658877. [PMID: 34026724 PMCID: PMC8138165 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.658877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytochrome bc 1 (mitochondrial complex III) catalyzes electron transfer from quinols to cytochrome c and couples this reaction with proton translocation across lipid membrane; thus, it contributes to the generation of protonmotive force used for the synthesis of ATP. The energetic efficiency of the enzyme relies on a bifurcation reaction taking place at the Qo site which upon oxidation of ubiquinol directs one electron to the Rieske 2Fe2S cluster and the other to heme b L. The molecular mechanism of this reaction remains unclear. A semiquinone spin-coupled to the reduced 2Fe2S cluster (SQo-2Fe2S) was identified as a state associated with the operation of the Qo site. To get insights into the mechanism of the formation of this state, we first constructed a mutant in which one of the histidine ligands of the iron ion of heme b L Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome bc 1 was replaced by asparagine (H198N). This converted the low-spin, low-potential heme into the high-spin, high-potential species which is unable to support enzymatic turnover. We performed a comparative analysis of redox titrations of antimycin-supplemented bacterial photosynthetic membranes containing native enzyme and the mutant. The titrations revealed that H198N failed to generate detectable amounts of SQo-2Fe2S under neither equilibrium (in dark) nor nonequilibrium (in light), whereas the native enzyme generated clearly detectable SQo-2Fe2S in light. This provided further support for the mechanism in which the back electron transfer from heme b L to a ubiquinone bound at the Qo site is mainly responsible for the formation of semiquinone trapped in the SQo-2Fe2S state in R. capusulatus cytochrome bc 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Sarewicz
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Sebastian Pintscher
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Łukasz Bujnowicz
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Wolska
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Artur Osyczka
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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7
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Nesci S, Trombetti F, Pagliarani A, Ventrella V, Algieri C, Tioli G, Lenaz G. Molecular and Supramolecular Structure of the Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation System: Implications for Pathology. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:242. [PMID: 33804034 PMCID: PMC7999509 DOI: 10.3390/life11030242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Under aerobic conditions, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) converts the energy released by nutrient oxidation into ATP, the currency of living organisms. The whole biochemical machinery is hosted by the inner mitochondrial membrane (mtIM) where the protonmotive force built by respiratory complexes, dynamically assembled as super-complexes, allows the F1FO-ATP synthase to make ATP from ADP + Pi. Recently mitochondria emerged not only as cell powerhouses, but also as signaling hubs by way of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, when ROS removal systems and/or OXPHOS constituents are defective, the physiological ROS generation can cause ROS imbalance and oxidative stress, which in turn damages cell components. Moreover, the morphology of mitochondria rules cell fate and the formation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore in the mtIM, which, most likely with the F1FO-ATP synthase contribution, permeabilizes mitochondria and leads to cell death. As the multiple mitochondrial functions are mutually interconnected, changes in protein composition by mutations or in supercomplex assembly and/or in membrane structures often generate a dysfunctional cascade and lead to life-incompatible diseases or severe syndromes. The known structural/functional changes in mitochondrial proteins and structures, which impact mitochondrial bioenergetics because of an impaired or defective energy transduction system, here reviewed, constitute the main biochemical damage in a variety of genetic and age-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Nesci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy; (F.T.); (V.V.); (C.A.)
| | - Fabiana Trombetti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy; (F.T.); (V.V.); (C.A.)
| | - Alessandra Pagliarani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy; (F.T.); (V.V.); (C.A.)
| | - Vittoria Ventrella
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy; (F.T.); (V.V.); (C.A.)
| | - Cristina Algieri
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Italy; (F.T.); (V.V.); (C.A.)
| | - Gaia Tioli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Giorgio Lenaz
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
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Sarewicz M, Pintscher S, Pietras R, Borek A, Bujnowicz Ł, Hanke G, Cramer WA, Finazzi G, Osyczka A. Catalytic Reactions and Energy Conservation in the Cytochrome bc1 and b6f Complexes of Energy-Transducing Membranes. Chem Rev 2021; 121:2020-2108. [PMID: 33464892 PMCID: PMC7908018 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.0c00712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
This review focuses on key components of respiratory and photosynthetic energy-transduction systems: the cytochrome bc1 and b6f (Cytbc1/b6f) membranous multisubunit homodimeric complexes. These remarkable molecular machines catalyze electron transfer from membranous quinones to water-soluble electron carriers (such as cytochromes c or plastocyanin), coupling electron flow to proton translocation across the energy-transducing membrane and contributing to the generation of a transmembrane electrochemical potential gradient, which powers cellular metabolism in the majority of living organisms. Cytsbc1/b6f share many similarities but also have significant differences. While decades of research have provided extensive knowledge on these enzymes, several important aspects of their molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. We summarize a broad range of structural, mechanistic, and physiological aspects required for function of Cytbc1/b6f, combining textbook fundamentals with new intriguing concepts that have emerged from more recent studies. The discussion covers but is not limited to (i) mechanisms of energy-conserving bifurcation of electron pathway and energy-wasting superoxide generation at the quinol oxidation site, (ii) the mechanism by which semiquinone is stabilized at the quinone reduction site, (iii) interactions with substrates and specific inhibitors, (iv) intermonomer electron transfer and the role of a dimeric complex, and (v) higher levels of organization and regulation that involve Cytsbc1/b6f. In addressing these topics, we point out existing uncertainties and controversies, which, as suggested, will drive further research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Sarewicz
- Department
of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Sebastian Pintscher
- Department
of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Rafał Pietras
- Department
of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Arkadiusz Borek
- Department
of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Łukasz Bujnowicz
- Department
of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Guy Hanke
- School
of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen
Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, U.K.
| | - William A. Cramer
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 United States
| | - Giovanni Finazzi
- Laboratoire
de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, Université Grenoble Alpes, Centre National Recherche Scientifique,
Commissariat Energie Atomique et Energies Alternatives, Institut National
Recherche l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement, 38054 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Artur Osyczka
- Department
of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
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Springett R. The proton pumping mechanism of the bc 1 complex. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2020; 1862:148352. [PMID: 33338489 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2020.148352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The bc1 complex is a proton pump of the mitochondrial electron transport chain which transfers electrons from ubiquinol to cytochrome c. It operates via the modified Q cycle in which the two electrons from oxidation of ubiquinol at the Qo center are bifurcated such that the first electron is passed to Cytc via an iron sulfur center and c1 whereas the second electron is passed across the membrane by bL and bH to reduce ubiquinone at the Qi center. Proton pumping occurs because oxidation of ubiquinol at the Qo center releases protons to the P-side and reduction of ubiquinone at the Qi center takes up protons from the N-side. However, the mechanisms which prevent the thermodynamically more favorable short circuit reactions and so ensure precise bifurcation and proton pumping are not known. Here we use statistical thermodynamics to show that reaction steps that originate from high energy states cannot support high flux even when they have large rate constants. We show how the chemistry of ubiquinol oxidation and the structure of the Qo site can result in free energy profiles that naturally suppress flux through the short circuit pathways while allowing high rates of bifurcation. These predictions are confirmed through in-silico simulations using a Markov state model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Springett
- Cardiovascular Division, King's College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, London, United Kingdom.
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10
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Pintscher S, Wójcik-Augustyn A, Sarewicz M, Osyczka A. Charge polarization imposed by the binding site facilitates enzymatic redox reactions of quinone. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2020; 1861:148216. [PMID: 32387188 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2020.148216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Quinone reduction site (Qi) of cytochrome bc1 represents one of the canonical sites used to explore the enzymatic redox reactions involving semiquinone (SQ) states. However, the mechanism by which Qi allows the completion of quinone reduction during the sequential transfers of two electrons from the adjacent heme bH and two protons to C1- and C4-carbonyl remains unclear. Here we established that the SQ coupled to an oxidized heme bH is a dominant intermediate of catalytic forward reaction and, contrary to the long-standing assumption, represents a significant population of SQ detected across pH 5-9. The pH dependence of its redox midpoint potential implicated proton exchange with histidine. Complementary quantum mechanical calculations revealed that the SQ anion formed after the first electron transfer undergoes charge and spin polarization imposed by the electrostatic field generated by histidine and the aspartate/lysine pair interacting with the C4- and C1-carbonyl, respectively. This favors a barrierless proton exchange between histidine and the C4-carbonyl, which continues until the second electron reaches the SQi. Inversion of charge polarization facilitates the uptake of the second proton by the C1-carbonyl. Based on these findings we developed a comprehensive scheme for electron and proton transfers at Qi featuring the equilibration between the anionic and neutral states of SQi as means for a leak-proof stabilization of the radical intermediate. The key catalytic role of the initial charge/spin polarization of the SQ anion at the active site, inherent to the proposed mechanism, may also be applicable to the other quinone oxidoreductases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Pintscher
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków 30387, Poland.
| | - Anna Wójcik-Augustyn
- Department of Computational Biophysics and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków 30387, Poland.
| | - Marcin Sarewicz
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków 30387, Poland.
| | - Artur Osyczka
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków 30387, Poland.
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11
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Kozuleva MA, Ivanov BN, Vetoshkina DV, Borisova-Mubarakshina MM. Minimizing an Electron Flow to Molecular Oxygen in Photosynthetic Electron Transfer Chain: An Evolutionary View. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:211. [PMID: 32231675 PMCID: PMC7082748 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Recruitment of H2O as the final donor of electrons for light-governed reactions in photosynthesis has been an utmost breakthrough, bursting the evolution of life and leading to the accumulation of O2 molecules in the atmosphere. O2 molecule has a great potential to accept electrons from the components of the photosynthetic electron transfer chain (PETC) (so-called the Mehler reaction). Here we overview the Mehler reaction mechanisms, specifying the changes in the structure of the PETC of oxygenic phototrophs that probably had occurred as the result of evolutionary pressure to minimize the electron flow to O2. These changes are warranted by the fact that the efficient electron flow to O2 would decrease the quantum yield of photosynthesis. Moreover, the reduction of O2 leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), namely, the superoxide anion radical and hydrogen peroxide, which cause oxidative stress to plant cells if they are accumulated at a significant amount. From another side, hydrogen peroxide acts as a signaling molecule. We particularly zoom in into the role of photosystem I (PSI) and the plastoquinone (PQ) pool in the Mehler reaction.
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