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Hydrogen bonding rearrangement by a mitochondrial disease mutation in cytochrome bc 1 perturbs heme b H redox potential and spin state. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2026169118. [PMID: 34389670 PMCID: PMC8379992 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2026169118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
To perform their specific electron-transfer relay functions, hemes commonly adopt low spin states with fine-tuned redox potentials. Understanding molecular elements controlling these properties is crucial for the description of natural proteins and engineering redox-active systems. We describe unusual effects of mitochondrial disease-related mutation in cytochrome bc1, based on which we identify a dual role of hydrogen bonding to the propionate group of heme bH. We observe that stabilization of the hydrogen bond in mutant enhances the redox potential but destabilizes the low spin state of oxidized heme. This demonstrates a critical role of the hydrogen bonding, and heme-protein interactions in general, to secure a suitable redox potential and spin state, a notion that might be universal for other heme proteins. Hemes are common elements of biological redox cofactor chains involved in rapid electron transfer. While the redox properties of hemes and the stability of the spin state are recognized as key determinants of their function, understanding the molecular basis of control of these properties is challenging. Here, benefiting from the effects of one mitochondrial disease–related point mutation in cytochrome b, we identify a dual role of hydrogen bonding (H-bond) to the propionate group of heme bH of cytochrome bc1, a common component of energy-conserving systems. We found that replacing conserved glycine with serine in the vicinity of heme bH caused stabilization of this bond, which not only increased the redox potential of the heme but also induced structural and energetic changes in interactions between Fe ion and axial histidine ligands. The latter led to a reversible spin conversion of the oxidized Fe from 1/2 to 5/2, an effect that potentially reduces the electron transfer rate between the heme and its redox partners. We thus propose that H-bond to the propionate group and heme-protein packing contribute to the fine-tuning of the redox potential of heme and maintaining its proper spin state. A subtle balance is needed between these two contributions: While increasing the H-bond stability raises the heme potential, the extent of increase must be limited to maintain the low spin and diamagnetic form of heme. This principle might apply to other native heme proteins and can be exploited in engineering of artificial heme-containing protein maquettes.
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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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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: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [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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Borek A, Ekiert R, Osyczka A. Functional flexibility of electron flow between quinol oxidation Q o site of cytochrome bc 1 and cytochrome c revealed by combinatory effects of mutations in cytochrome b, iron-sulfur protein and cytochrome c 1. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2018; 1859:754-761. [PMID: 29705394 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2018.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Transfer of electron from quinol to cytochrome c is an integral part of catalytic cycle of cytochrome bc1. It is a multi-step reaction involving: i) electron transfer from quinol bound at the catalytic Qo site to the Rieske iron-sulfur ([2Fe-2S]) cluster, ii) large-scale movement of a domain containing [2Fe-2S] cluster (ISP-HD) towards cytochrome c1, iii) reduction of cytochrome c1 by reduced [2Fe-2S] cluster, iv) reduction of cytochrome c by cytochrome c1. In this work, to examine this multi-step reaction we introduced various types of barriers for electron transfer within the chain of [2Fe-2S] cluster, cytochrome c1 and cytochrome c. The barriers included: impediment in the motion of ISP-HD, uphill electron transfer from [2Fe-2S] cluster to heme c1 of cytochrome c1, and impediment in the catalytic quinol oxidation. The barriers were introduced separately or in various combinations and their effects on enzymatic activity of cytochrome bc1 were compared. This analysis revealed significant degree of functional flexibility allowing the cofactor chains to accommodate certain structural and/or redox potential changes without losing overall electron and proton transfers capabilities. In some cases inhibitory effects compensated one another to improve/restore the function. The results support an equilibrium model in which a random oscillation of ISP-HD between the Qo site and cytochrome c1 helps maintaining redox equilibrium between all cofactors of the chain. We propose a new concept in which independence of the dynamics of the Qo site substrate and the motion of ISP-HD is one of the elements supporting this equilibrium and also is a potential factor limiting the overall catalytic rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadiusz Borek
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Robert Ekiert
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Artur Osyczka
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland.
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Kuleta P, Sarewicz M, Postila P, Róg T, Osyczka A. Identifying involvement of Lys251/Asp252 pair in electron transfer and associated proton transfer at the quinone reduction site of Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome bc1. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2016; 1857:1661-8. [PMID: 27421232 PMCID: PMC5001787 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2016.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Describing dynamics of proton transfers in proteins is challenging, but crucial for understanding processes which use them for biological functions. In cytochrome bc1, one of the key enzymes of respiration or photosynthesis, proton transfers engage in oxidation of quinol (QH2) and reduction of quinone (Q) taking place at two distinct catalytic sites. Here we evaluated by site-directed mutagenesis the contribution of Lys251/Asp252 pair (bacterial numbering) in electron transfers and associated with it proton uptake to the quinone reduction site (Qi site). We showed that the absence of protonable group at position 251 or 252 significantly changes the equilibrium levels of electronic reactions including the Qi-site mediated oxidation of heme bH, reverse reduction of heme bH by quinol and heme bH/Qi semiquinone equilibrium. This implicates the role of H-bonding network in binding of quinone/semiquinone and defining thermodynamic properties of Q/SQ/QH2 triad. The Lys251/Asp252 proton path is disabled only when both protonable groups are removed. With just one protonable residue from this pair, the entrance of protons to the catalytic site is sustained, albeit at lower rates, indicating that protons can travel through parallel routes, possibly involving water molecules. This shows that proton paths display engineering tolerance for change as long as all the elements available for functional cooperation secure efficient proton delivery to the catalytic site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patryk Kuleta
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Marcin Sarewicz
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Pekka Postila
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Tomasz Róg
- Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, P.O. Box 692, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland; Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Artur Osyczka
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland.
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Ekiert R, Borek A, Kuleta P, Czernek J, Osyczka A. Mitochondrial disease-related mutations at the cytochrome b-iron-sulfur protein (ISP) interface: Molecular effects on the large-scale motion of ISP and superoxide generation studied in Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome bc1. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2016; 1857:1102-1110. [PMID: 27032290 PMCID: PMC4906154 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2016.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
One of the important elements of operation of cytochrome bc1 (mitochondrial respiratory complex III) is a large scale movement of the head domain of iron–sulfur protein (ISP-HD), which connects the quinol oxidation site (Qo) located within the cytochrome b, with the outermost heme c1 of cytochrome c1. Several mitochondrial disease-related mutations in cytochrome b are located at the cytochrome b-ISP-HD interface, thus their molecular effects can be associated with altered motion of ISP-HD. Using purple bacterial model, we recently showed that one of such mutations — G167P shifts the equilibrium position of ISP-HD towards positions remote from the Qo site as compared to the native enzyme [Borek et al., J. Biol. Chem. 290 (2015) 23781-23792]. This resulted in the enhanced propensity of the mutant to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) which was explained on the basis of the model evoking “semireverse” electron transfer from heme bL to quinone. Here we examine another mutation from that group — G332D (G290D in human), finding that it also shifts the equilibrium position of ISP-HD in the same direction, however displays less of the enhancement in ROS production. We provide spectroscopic indication that G332D might affect the electrostatics of interaction between cytochrome b and ISP-HD. This effect, in light of the measured enzymatic activities and electron transfer rates, appears to be less severe than structural distortion caused by proline in G167P mutant. Comparative analysis of the effects of G332D and G167P confirms a general prediction that mutations located at the cytochrome b-ISP-HD interface influence the motion of ISP-HD and indicates that “pushing” ISP-HD away from the Qo site is the most likely outcome of this influence. It can also be predicted that an increase in ROS production associated with the “pushing” effect is quite sensitive to overall severity of this change with more active mutants being generally more protected against elevated ROS. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘EBEC 2016: 19th European Bioenergetics Conference, Riva del Garda, Italy, July 2–6, 2016’, edited by Prof. Paolo Bernardi. Several mitochondrial mutations are located at the cytochrome b-ISP interface. We compare molecular effects of two mutations from that group. In both mutants ISP is shifted away from the Qo catalytic site. This effect is generally associated with increased ROS production. More active mutants are more protected against elevated ROS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Ekiert
- 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
| | - Patryk Kuleta
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Justyna Czernek
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Artur Osyczka
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
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Pintscher S, Kuleta P, Cieluch E, Borek A, Sarewicz M, Osyczka A. Tuning of Hemes b Equilibrium Redox Potential Is Not Required for Cross-Membrane Electron Transfer. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:6872-81. [PMID: 26858251 PMCID: PMC4807273 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.712307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In biological energy conversion, cross-membrane electron transfer often involves an assembly of two hemes b. The hemes display a large difference in redox midpoint potentials (ΔEm_b), which in several proteins is assumed to facilitate cross-membrane electron transfer and overcome a barrier of membrane potential. Here we challenge this assumption reporting on heme b ligand mutants of cytochrome bc1 in which, for the first time in transmembrane cytochrome, one natural histidine has been replaced by lysine without loss of the native low spin type of heme iron. With these mutants we show that ΔEm_b can be markedly increased, and the redox potential of one of the hemes can stay above the level of quinone pool, or ΔEm_b can be markedly decreased to the point that two hemes are almost isopotential, yet the enzyme retains catalytically competent electron transfer between quinone binding sites and remains functional in vivo. This reveals that cytochrome bc1 can accommodate large changes in ΔEm_b without hampering catalysis, as long as these changes do not impose overly endergonic steps on downhill electron transfer from substrate to product. We propose that hemes b in this cytochrome and in other membranous cytochromes b act as electronic connectors for the catalytic sites with no fine tuning in ΔEm_b required for efficient cross-membrane electron transfer. We link this concept with a natural flexibility in occurrence of several thermodynamic configurations of the direction of electron flow and the direction of the gradient of potential in relation to the vector of the electric membrane potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Pintscher
- From the Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Patryk Kuleta
- From the Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Ewelina Cieluch
- From the Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Arkadiusz Borek
- From the Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Marcin Sarewicz
- From the Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Artur Osyczka
- From the Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
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Borek A, Kuleta P, Ekiert R, Pietras R, Sarewicz M, Osyczka A. Mitochondrial Disease-related Mutation G167P in Cytochrome b of Rhodobacter capsulatus Cytochrome bc1 (S151P in Human) Affects the Equilibrium Distribution of [2Fe-2S] Cluster and Generation of Superoxide. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:23781-92. [PMID: 26245902 PMCID: PMC4583038 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.661314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytochrome bc1 is one of the key enzymes of many bioenergetic systems. Its operation involves a large scale movement of a head domain of iron-sulfur protein (ISP-HD), which functionally connects the catalytic quinol oxidation Qo site in cytochrome b with cytochrome c1. The Qo site under certain conditions can generate reactive oxygen species in the reaction scheme depending on the actual position of ISP-HD in respect to the Qo site. Here, using a bacterial system, we show that mutation G167P in cytochrome b shifts the equilibrium distribution of ISP-HD toward positions remote from the Qo site. This renders cytochrome bc1 non-functional in vivo. This effect is remediated by addition of alanine insertions (1Ala and 2Ala) in the neck region of the ISP subunit. These insertions, which on their own shift the equilibrium distribution of ISP-HD in the opposite direction (i.e. toward the Qo site), also act in this manner in the presence of G167P. Changes in the equilibrium distribution of ISP-HD in G167P lead to an increased propensity of cytochrome bc1 to generate superoxide, which becomes evident when the concentration of quinone increases. This result corroborates the recently proposed model in which “semireverse” electron transfer back to the Qo site, occurring when ISP-HD is remote from the site, favors reactive oxygen species production. G167P suggests possible molecular effects of S151P (corresponding in sequence to G167P) identified as a mitochondrial disease-related mutation in human cytochrome b. These effects may be valid for other human mutations that change the equilibrium distribution of ISP-HD in a manner similar to G167P.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadiusz Borek
- From the Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Patryk Kuleta
- From the Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Robert Ekiert
- From the Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Rafał Pietras
- From the Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Marcin Sarewicz
- From the Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Artur Osyczka
- From the Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
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Sarewicz M, Osyczka A. Electronic connection between the quinone and cytochrome C redox pools and its role in regulation of mitochondrial electron transport and redox signaling. Physiol Rev 2015; 95:219-43. [PMID: 25540143 PMCID: PMC4281590 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00006.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial respiration, an important bioenergetic process, relies on operation of four membranous enzymatic complexes linked functionally by mobile, freely diffusible elements: quinone molecules in the membrane and water-soluble cytochromes c in the intermembrane space. One of the mitochondrial complexes, complex III (cytochrome bc1 or ubiquinol:cytochrome c oxidoreductase), provides an electronic connection between these two diffusible redox pools linking in a fully reversible manner two-electron quinone oxidation/reduction with one-electron cytochrome c reduction/oxidation. Several features of this homodimeric enzyme implicate that in addition to its well-defined function of contributing to generation of proton-motive force, cytochrome bc1 may be a physiologically important point of regulation of electron flow acting as a sensor of the redox state of mitochondria that actively responds to changes in bioenergetic conditions. These features include the following: the opposing redox reactions at quinone catalytic sites located on the opposite sides of the membrane, the inter-monomer electronic connection that functionally links four quinone binding sites of a dimer into an H-shaped electron transfer system, as well as the potential to generate superoxide and release it to the intermembrane space where it can be engaged in redox signaling pathways. Here we highlight recent advances in understanding how cytochrome bc1 may accomplish this regulatory physiological function, what is known and remains unknown about catalytic and side reactions within the quinone binding sites and electron transfers through the cofactor chains connecting those sites with the substrate redox pools. We also discuss the developed molecular mechanisms in the context of physiology of mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Sarewicz
- 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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Czapla M, Cieluch E, Borek A, Sarewicz M, Osyczka A. Catalytically-relevant electron transfer between two hemes bL in the hybrid cytochrome bc1-like complex containing a fusion of Rhodobacter sphaeroides and capsulatus cytochromes b. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2013; 1827:751-60. [PMID: 23428397 PMCID: PMC4330944 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2013.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2012] [Revised: 02/06/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
To address mechanistic questions about the functioning of dimeric cytochrome bc1 new genetic approaches have recently been developed. They were specifically designed to enable construction of asymmetrically-mutated variants suitable for functional studies. One approach exploited a fusion of two cytochromes b that replaced the separate subunits in the dimer. The fusion protein, built from two copies of the same cytochrome b of purple bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus, served as a template to create a series of asymmetrically-mutated cytochrome bc1-like complexes (B–B) which, through kinetic studies, disclosed several important principles of dimer engineering. Here, we report on construction of another fusion protein complex that adds a new tool to investigate dimeric function of the enzyme through the asymmetrically mutated forms of the protein. This complex (BS–B) contains a hybrid protein that combines two different cytochromes b: one coming from R. capsulatus and the other — from a closely related species, R. sphaeroides. With this new fusion we addressed a still controversial issue of electron transfer between the two hemes bL in the core of dimer. Kinetic data obtained with a series of BS–B variants provided new evidence confirming the previously reported observations that electron transfer between those two hemes occurs on a millisecond timescale, thus is a catalytically-relevant event. Both types of the fusion complexes (B–B and BS–B) consistently implicate that the heme-bL–bL bridge forms an electronic connection available for inter-monomer electron transfer in cytochrome bc1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Artur Osyczka
- Corresponding author. Tel.: + 48 12 664 6348; fax: + 48 12 664 69 02.
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Fusing proteins as an approach to study bioenergetic enzymes and processes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2012; 1817:1847-51. [PMID: 22484274 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2012.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2012] [Revised: 03/21/2012] [Accepted: 03/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Fusing proteins is an attractive genetic tool used in several biochemical and biophysical investigations. Within a group of redox proteins, certain fusion constructs appear to provide valuable templates for spectroscopy with which specific bioenergetic questions can be addressed. Here we briefly summarize three different cases of fusions reported for bacterial cytochrome bc(1) (prokaryotic equivalent of mitochondrial respiratory complex III), a common component of electron transport chains. These fusions were used to study supramolecular organization of enzymatic complexes in bioenergetic membrane, influence of the accessory subunits on the activity and stability of the complex, and molecular mechanism of operation of the enzyme in the context of its dimeric structure. Besides direct connotation to molecular bioenergetics, these fusions also appeared interesting from the protein design, biogenesis, and assembly points of view. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: 17th European Bioenergetics Conference (EBEC 2012).
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Wang YF, Li Y, Zhou ZJ, Li ZR, Wu D, Huang J, Gu FL. Intercage Electron Transfer Driven by Electric Field in Robin-Day-Type Molecules. Chemphyschem 2012; 13:756-61. [DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201100790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Kyndt JA, Fitch JC, Berry RE, Stewart MC, Whitley K, Meyer TE, Walker FA, Cusanovich MA. Tyrosine triad at the interface between the Rieske iron-sulfur protein, cytochrome c1 and cytochrome c2 in the bc1 complex of Rhodobacter capsulatus. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2012; 1817:811-8. [PMID: 22306765 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2012.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2011] [Revised: 01/20/2012] [Accepted: 01/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A triad of tyrosine residues (Y152-154) in the cytochrome c(1) subunit (C1) of the Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome bc(1) complex (BC1) is ideally positioned to interact with cytochrome c(2) (C2). Mutational analysis of these three tyrosines showed that, of the three, Y154 is the most important, since its mutation to alanine resulted in significantly reduced levels, destabilization, and inactivation of BC1. A second-site revertant of this mutant that regained photosynthetic capacity was found to have acquired two further mutations-A181T and A200V. The Y152Q mutation did not change the spectral or electrochemical properties of C1, and showed wild-type enzymatic C2 reduction rates, indicating that this mutation did not introduce major structural changes in C1 nor affect overall activity. Mutations Y153Q and Y153A, on the other hand, clearly affect the redox properties of C1 (e.g. by lowering the midpoint potential as much as 117 mV in Y153Q) and the activity by 90% and 50%, respectively. A more conservative Y153F mutant on the other hand, behaves similarly to wild-type. This underscores the importance of an aromatic residue at position Y153, presumably to maintain close packing with P184, which modeling indicates is likely to stabilize the sixth heme ligand conformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A Kyndt
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
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Czapla M, Borek A, Sarewicz M, Osyczka A. Enzymatic activities of isolated cytochrome bc₁-like complexes containing fused cytochrome b subunits with asymmetrically inactivated segments of electron transfer chains. Biochemistry 2012; 51:829-35. [PMID: 22233445 PMCID: PMC3269193 DOI: 10.1021/bi2016316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
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Homodimeric structure of cytochrome bc1, a common component of biological energy conversion
systems, builds
in four catalytic quinone oxidation/reduction sites and four chains
of cofactors (branches) that, connected by a centrally located bridge,
form a symmetric H-shaped electron transfer system. The mechanism
of operation of this complex system is under constant debate. Here,
we report on isolation and enzymatic examination of cytochrome bc1-like complexes containing fused cytochrome b subunits in which asymmetrically introduced mutations
inactivated individual branches in various combinations. The structural
asymmetry of those forms was confirmed spectroscopically. All the
asymmetric forms corresponding to cytochrome bc1 with partial or full inactivation of one monomer retain high
enzymatic activity but at the same time show a decrease in the maximum
turnover rate by a factor close to 2. This strongly supports the model
assuming independent operation of monomers. The cross-inactivated
form corresponding to cytochrome bc1 with
disabled complementary parts of each monomer retains the enzymatic
activity at the level that, for the first time on isolated from membranes
and purified to homogeneity preparations, demonstrates that intermonomer
electron transfer through the bridge effectively sustains the enzymatic
turnover. The results fully support the concept that electrons freely
distribute between the four catalytic sites of a dimer and that any
path connecting the catalytic sites on the opposite sides of the membrane
is enzymatically competent. The possibility to examine enzymatic properties
of isolated forms of asymmetric complexes constructed using the cytochrome b fusion system extends the array of tools available for
investigating the engineering of dimeric cytochrome bc1 from the mechanistic and physiological perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Czapla
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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Rutherford AW, Osyczka A, Rappaport F. Back-reactions, short-circuits, leaks and other energy wasteful reactions in biological electron transfer: redox tuning to survive life in O(2). FEBS Lett 2012; 586:603-16. [PMID: 22251618 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2011.12.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2011] [Revised: 12/15/2011] [Accepted: 12/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The energy-converting redox enzymes perform productive reactions efficiently despite the involvement of high energy intermediates in their catalytic cycles. This is achieved by kinetic control: with forward reactions being faster than competing, energy-wasteful reactions. This requires appropriate cofactor spacing, driving forces and reorganizational energies. These features evolved in ancestral enzymes in a low O(2) environment. When O(2) appeared, energy-converting enzymes had to deal with its troublesome chemistry. Various protective mechanisms duly evolved that are not directly related to the enzymes' principal redox roles. These protective mechanisms involve fine-tuning of reduction potentials, switching of pathways and the use of short circuits, back-reactions and side-paths, all of which compromise efficiency. This energetic loss is worth it since it minimises damage from reactive derivatives of O(2) and thus gives the organism a better chance of survival. We examine photosynthetic reaction centres, bc(1) and b(6)f complexes from this view point. In particular, the evolution of the heterodimeric PSI from its homodimeric ancestors is explained as providing a protective back-reaction pathway. This "sacrifice-of-efficiency-for-protection" concept should be generally applicable to bioenergetic enzymes in aerobic environments.
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Kokhan O, Shinkarev VP, Wraight CA. Binding of imidazole to the heme of cytochrome c1 and inhibition of the bc1 complex from Rhodobacter sphaeroides: II. Kinetics and mechanism of binding. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:22522-31. [PMID: 20448037 PMCID: PMC2903381 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m110.128082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2010] [Revised: 04/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The kinetics of imidazole (Im) and N-methylimidazole (MeIm) binding to oxidized cytochrome (cyt) c(1) of detergent-solubilized bc(1) complex from Rhodobacter sphaeroides are described. The rate of formation of the cyt c(1)-Im complex exhibited three separated regions of dependence on the concentration of imidazole: (i) below 8 mM Im, the rate increased with concentration in a parabolic manner; (ii) above 20 mM, the rate leveled off, indicating a rate-limiting conformational step with lifetime approximately 1 s; and (iii) at Im concentrations above 100 mM, the rate substantially increased again, also parabolically. In contrast, binding of MeIm followed a simple hyperbolic concentration dependence. The temperature dependences of the binding and release kinetics of Im and MeIm were also measured and revealed very large activation parameters for all reactions. The complex concentration dependence of the Im binding rate is not consistent with the popular model for soluble c-type cytochromes in which exogenous ligand binding is preceded by spontaneous opening of the heme cleft, which becomes rate-limiting at high ligand concentrations. Instead, binding of ligand to the heme is explained by a model in which an initial and superficial binding facilitates access to the heme by disruption of hydrogen-bonded structures in the heme domain. For imidazole, two separate pathways of heme access are indicated by the distinct kinetics at low and high concentration. The structural basis for ligand entry to the heme cleft is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Colin A. Wraight
- From the Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology and
- the Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801
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Sarewicz M, Borek A, Cieluch E, Swierczek M, Osyczka A. Discrimination between two possible reaction sequences that create potential risk of generation of deleterious radicals by cytochrome bc₁. Implications for the mechanism of superoxide production. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2010; 1797:1820-7. [PMID: 20637719 PMCID: PMC3057645 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2010.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2010] [Accepted: 07/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In addition to its bioenergetic function of building up proton motive force, cytochrome bc1 can be a source of superoxide. One-electron reduction of oxygen is believed to occur from semiquinone (SQo) formed at the quinone oxidation/reduction Qo site (Qo) as a result of single-electron oxidation of quinol by the iron–sulfur cluster (FeS) (semiforward mechanism) or single-electron reduction of quinone by heme bL (semireverse mechanism). It is hotly debated which mechanism plays a major role in the overall production of superoxide as experimental data supporting either reaction exist. To evaluate a contribution of each of the mechanisms we first measured superoxide production under a broad range of conditions using the mutants of cytochrome bc1 that severely impeded the oxidation of FeS by cytochrome c1, changed density of FeS around Qo by interfering with its movement, or combined these two effects together. We then compared the amount of generated superoxide with mathematical models describing either semiforward or semireverse mechanism framed within a scheme assuming competition between the internal reactions at Qo and the leakage of electrons on oxygen. We found that only the model of semireverse mechanism correctly reproduced the experimentally measured decrease in ROS for the FeS motion mutants and increase in ROS for the mutants with oxidation of FeS impaired. This strongly suggests that this mechanism dominates in setting steady-state levels of SQo that present a risk of generation of superoxide by cytochrome bc1. Isolation of this reaction sequence from multiplicity of possible reactions at Qo helps to better understand conditions under which complex III might contribute to ROS generation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Sarewicz
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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