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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Borek A, Wójcik-Augustyn A, Kuleta P, Ekiert R, Osyczka A. Identification of hydrogen bonding network for proton transfer at the quinol oxidation site of Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome bc 1. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105249. [PMID: 37714464 PMCID: PMC10583091 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105249] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytochrome bc1 catalyzes electron transfer from quinol (QH2) to cytochrome c in reactions coupled to proton translocation across the energy-conserving membrane. Energetic efficiency of the catalytic cycle is secured by a two-electron and two-proton bifurcation reaction leading to oxidation of QH2 and reduction of the Rieske cluster and heme bL. The proton paths associated with this reaction remain elusive. Here, we used site-directed mutagenesis and quantum mechanical calculations to analyze the contribution of protonable side chains located at the heme bL side of the QH2 oxidation site in Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome bc1. We observe that the proton path is effectively switched off when H276 and E295 are simultaneously mutated to the nonprotonable residues in the H276F/E295V double mutant. The two single mutants, H276F or E295V, are less efficient but still transfer protons at functionally relevant rates. Natural selection exposed two single mutations, N279S and M154T, that restored the functional proton transfers in H276F/E295V. Quantum mechanical calculations indicated that H276F/E295V traps the side chain of Y147 in a position distant from QH2, whereas either N279S or M154T induce local changes releasing Y147 from that position. This shortens the distance between the protonable groups of Y147 and D278 and/or increases mobility of the Y147 side chain, which makes Y147 efficient in transferring protons from QH2 toward D278 in H276F/E295V. Overall, our study identified an extended hydrogen bonding network, build up by E295, H276, D278, and Y147, involved in efficient proton removal from QH2 at the heme bL side of QH2 oxidation site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadiusz Borek
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Anna Wójcik-Augustyn
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Patryk Kuleta
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Robert Ekiert
- 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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3
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Tikhonov AN. Electron Transport in Chloroplasts: Regulation and Alternative Pathways of Electron Transfer. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:1438-1454. [PMID: 38105016 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923100036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
This work represents an overview of electron transport regulation in chloroplasts as considered in the context of structure-function organization of photosynthetic apparatus in plants. Main focus of the article is on bifurcated oxidation of plastoquinol by the cytochrome b6f complex, which represents the rate-limiting step of electron transfer between photosystems II and I. Electron transport along the chains of non-cyclic, cyclic, and pseudocyclic electron flow, their relationships to generation of the trans-thylakoid difference in electrochemical potentials of protons in chloroplasts, and pH-dependent mechanisms of regulation of the cytochrome b6f complex are considered. Redox reactions with participation of molecular oxygen and ascorbate, alternative mediators of electron transport in chloroplasts, have also been discussed.
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4
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Watkins SL. Current Trends and Changes in Use of Membrane Molecular Dynamics Simulations within Academia and the Pharmaceutical Industry. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:148. [PMID: 36837651 PMCID: PMC9961006 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13020148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
There has been an almost exponential increase in the use of molecular dynamics simulations in basic research and industry over the last 5 years, with almost a doubling in the number of publications each year. Many of these are focused on neurological membranes, and biological membranes in general, applied to the medical industry. A smaller portion have utilized membrane simulations to answer more basic questions related to the function of specific proteins, chemicals or biological processes. This review covers some newer studies, alongside studies from the last two decades, to determine changes in the field. Some of these are basic, while others are more profound, such as multi-component embedded membrane machinery. It is clear that many facets of the discipline remain the same, while the focus on and uses of the technology are broadening in scope and utilization as a general research tool. Analysis of recent literature provides an overview of the current methodologies, covers some of the recent trends or advances and tries to make predictions of the overall path membrane molecular dynamics will follow in the coming years. In general, the overview presented is geared towards the general scientific community, who may wish to introduce the use of these methodologies in light of these changes, making molecular dynamic simulations more feasible for general scientific or medical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan L Watkins
- Plant Pathology and CRGB, Oregon State University, 2701 SW Campus Way, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
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5
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Ustynyuk LY, Tikhonov AN. Plastoquinol Oxidation: Rate-Limiting Stage in the Electron Transport Chain of Chloroplasts. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2022; 87:1084-1097. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006297922100029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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6
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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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7
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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: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [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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8
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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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Bunker A, Róg T. Mechanistic Understanding From Molecular Dynamics Simulation in Pharmaceutical Research 1: Drug Delivery. Front Mol Biosci 2020; 7:604770. [PMID: 33330633 PMCID: PMC7732618 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.604770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we outline the growing role that molecular dynamics simulation is able to play as a design tool in drug delivery. We cover both the pharmaceutical and computational backgrounds, in a pedagogical fashion, as this review is designed to be equally accessible to pharmaceutical researchers interested in what this new computational tool is capable of and experts in molecular modeling who wish to pursue pharmaceutical applications as a context for their research. The field has become too broad for us to concisely describe all work that has been carried out; many comprehensive reviews on subtopics of this area are cited. We discuss the insight molecular dynamics modeling has provided in dissolution and solubility, however, the majority of the discussion is focused on nanomedicine: the development of nanoscale drug delivery vehicles. Here we focus on three areas where molecular dynamics modeling has had a particularly strong impact: (1) behavior in the bloodstream and protective polymer corona, (2) Drug loading and controlled release, and (3) Nanoparticle interaction with both model and biological membranes. We conclude with some thoughts on the role that molecular dynamics simulation can grow to play in the development of new drug delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Bunker
- Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tomasz Róg
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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10
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Kurkinen ST, Lätti S, Pentikäinen OT, Postila PA. Getting Docking into Shape Using Negative Image-Based Rescoring. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 59:3584-3599. [PMID: 31290660 PMCID: PMC6750746 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The failure of default scoring functions to ensure virtual screening enrichment is a persistent problem for the molecular docking algorithms used in structure-based drug discovery. To remedy this problem, elaborate rescoring and postprocessing schemes have been developed with a varying degree of success, specificity, and cost. The negative image-based rescoring (R-NiB) has been shown to improve the flexible docking performance markedly with a variety of drug targets. The yield improvement is achieved by comparing the alternative docking poses against the negative image of the target protein's ligand-binding cavity. In other words, the shape and electrostatics of the binding pocket is directly used in the similarity comparison to rank the explicit docking poses. Here, the PANTHER/ShaEP-based R-NiB methodology is tested with six popular docking softwares, including GLIDE, PLANTS, GOLD, DOCK, AUTODOCK, and AUTODOCK VINA, using five validated benchmark sets. Overall, the results indicate that R-NiB outperforms the default docking scoring consistently and inexpensively, demonstrating that the methodology is ready for wide-scale virtual screening usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami T Kurkinen
- Institute of Biomedicine, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacy , University of Turku , FI-20520 Turku , Finland
| | - Sakari Lätti
- Institute of Biomedicine, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacy , University of Turku , FI-20520 Turku , Finland
| | - Olli T Pentikäinen
- Institute of Biomedicine, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacy , University of Turku , FI-20520 Turku , Finland.,Aurlide Ltd. , FI-21420 Lieto , Finland
| | - Pekka A Postila
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science , University of Jyvaskyla , P.O. Box 35, FI-40014 Jyvaskyla , Finland
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11
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Enkavi G, Javanainen M, Kulig W, Róg T, Vattulainen I. Multiscale Simulations of Biological Membranes: The Challenge To Understand Biological Phenomena in a Living Substance. Chem Rev 2019; 119:5607-5774. [PMID: 30859819 PMCID: PMC6727218 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Biological membranes are tricky to investigate. They are complex in terms of molecular composition and structure, functional over a wide range of time scales, and characterized by nonequilibrium conditions. Because of all of these features, simulations are a great technique to study biomembrane behavior. A significant part of the functional processes in biological membranes takes place at the molecular level; thus computer simulations are the method of choice to explore how their properties emerge from specific molecular features and how the interplay among the numerous molecules gives rise to function over spatial and time scales larger than the molecular ones. In this review, we focus on this broad theme. We discuss the current state-of-the-art of biomembrane simulations that, until now, have largely focused on a rather narrow picture of the complexity of the membranes. Given this, we also discuss the challenges that we should unravel in the foreseeable future. Numerous features such as the actin-cytoskeleton network, the glycocalyx network, and nonequilibrium transport under ATP-driven conditions have so far received very little attention; however, the potential of simulations to solve them would be exceptionally high. A major milestone for this research would be that one day we could say that computer simulations genuinely research biological membranes, not just lipid bilayers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giray Enkavi
- Department
of Physics, University of
Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Matti Javanainen
- Department
of Physics, University of
Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy
of Sciences, Flemingovo naḿesti 542/2, 16610 Prague, Czech Republic
- Computational
Physics Laboratory, Tampere University, P.O. Box 692, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Waldemar Kulig
- Department
of Physics, University of
Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tomasz Róg
- Department
of Physics, University of
Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Computational
Physics Laboratory, Tampere University, P.O. Box 692, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Ilpo Vattulainen
- Department
of Physics, University of
Helsinki, P.O. Box 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Computational
Physics Laboratory, Tampere University, P.O. Box 692, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland
- MEMPHYS-Center
for Biomembrane Physics
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12
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Francia F, Khalfaoui-Hassani B, Lanciano P, Musiani F, Noodleman L, Venturoli G, Daldal F. The cytochrome b lysine 329 residue is critical for ubihydroquinone oxidation and proton release at the Q o site of bacterial cytochrome bc 1. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2018; 1860:167-179. [PMID: 30550726 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The ubihydroquinone:cytochrome (cyt) c oxidoreductase (or cyt bc1) is an important enzyme for photosynthesis and respiration. In bacteria like Rhodobacter capsulatus, this membrane complex has three subunits, the iron‑sulfur protein (ISP) with its Fe2S2 cluster, cyt c1 and cyt b, forming two catalytic domains, the Qo (hydroquinone (QH2) oxidation) and Qi (quinone (Q) reduction) sites. At the Qo site, the electron transfer pathways originating from QH2 oxidation are known, but their associated proton release routes are less well defined. Earlier, we demonstrated that the His291 of cyt b is important for this latter process. In this work, using the bacterial cyt bc1 and site directed mutagenesis, we show that Lys329 of cyt b is also critical for electron and proton transfer at the Qo site. Of the mutants examined, Lys329Arg was photosynthesis proficient and had quasi-wild type cyt bc1 activity. In contrast, the Lys329Ala and Lys329Asp were photosynthesis-impaired and contained defective but assembled cyt bc1. In particular, the bifurcated electron transfer and associated proton(s) release reactions occurring during QH2 oxidation were drastically impaired in Lys329Asp mutant. Furthermore, in silico docking studies showed that in this mutant the location and the H-bonding network around the Fe2S2 cluster of ISP on cyt b surface was different than the wild type enzyme. Based on these experimental findings and theoretical considerations, we propose that the presence of a positive charge at position 329 of cyt b is critical for efficient electron transfer and proton release for QH2 oxidation at the Qo site of cyt bc1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Francia
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, FaBiT, Università di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Pascal Lanciano
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Francesco Musiani
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, FaBiT, Università di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Louis Noodleman
- The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Giovanni Venturoli
- Dipartimento di Farmacia e Biotecnologie, FaBiT, Università di Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze Fisiche della Materia (CNISM), Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Fevzi Daldal
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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13
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A modeling and simulation perspective on the mechanism and function of respiratory complex I. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2018; 1859:510-523. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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14
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Generation of semiquinone-[2Fe-2S]+ spin-coupled center at the Qo site of cytochrome bc1 in redox-poised, illuminated photosynthetic membranes from Rhodobacter capsulatus. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2018; 1859:145-153. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2017.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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15
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Abstract
This chapter presents an overview of structural properties of the cytochrome (Cyt) b 6 f complex and its functioning in chloroplasts. The Cyt b 6 f complex stands at the crossroad of photosynthetic electron transport pathways, providing connectivity between Photosystem (PSI) and Photosysten II (PSII) and pumping protons across the membrane into the thylakoid lumen. After a brief review of the chloroplast electron transport chain, the consideration is focused on the structural organization of the Cyt b 6 f complex and its interaction with plastoquinol (PQH2, reduced form of plastoquinone), a mediator of electron transfer from PSII to the Cyt b 6 f complex. The processes of PQH2 oxidation by the Cyt b 6 f complex have been considered within the framework of the Mitchell's Q-cycle. The overall rate of the intersystem electron transport is determined by PQH2 turnover at the quinone-binding site Qo of the Cyt b 6 f complex. The rate of PQH2 oxidation is controlled by the intrathylakoid pHin, which value determines the protonation/deprotonation events in the Qo-center. Two other regulatory mechanisms associated with the Cyt b 6 f complex are briefly overviewed: (i) redistribution of electron fluxes between alternative (linear and cyclic) pathways, and (ii) "state transitions" related to redistribution of solar energy between PSI and PSII.
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16
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Pietras R, Sarewicz M, Osyczka A. Distinct properties of semiquinone species detected at the ubiquinol oxidation Qo site of cytochrome bc1 and their mechanistic implications. J R Soc Interface 2017; 13:rsif.2016.0133. [PMID: 27194483 PMCID: PMC4892266 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2016.0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The two-electron ubiquinol oxidation or ubiquinone reduction typically involves semiquinone (SQ) intermediates. Natural engineering of ubiquinone binding sites of bioenergetic enzymes secures that SQ is sufficiently stabilized, so that it does not leave the site to membranous environment before full oxidation/reduction is completed. The ubiquinol oxidation Qo site of cytochrome bc1 (mitochondrial complex III, cytochrome b6f in plants) has been considered an exception with catalytic reactions assumed to involve highly unstable SQ or not to involve any SQ intermediate. This view seemed consistent with long-standing difficulty in detecting any reaction intermediates at the Qo site. New perspective on this issue is now offered by recent, independent reports on detection of SQ in this site. Each of the described SQs seems to have different spectroscopic properties leaving space for various interpretations and mechanistic considerations. Here, we comparatively reflect on those properties and their consequences on the SQ stabilization, the involvement of SQ in catalytic reactions, including proton transfers, and the reactivity of SQ with oxygen associated with superoxide generation activity of the Qo site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Pietras
- Department of Molecular Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - 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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17
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Haapanen O, Sharma V. Role of water and protein dynamics in proton pumping by respiratory complex I. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7747. [PMID: 28798393 PMCID: PMC5552823 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07930-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane bound respiratory complex I is the key enzyme in the respiratory chains of bacteria and mitochondria, and couples the reduction of quinone to the pumping of protons across the membrane. Recently solved crystal or electron microscopy structures of bacterial and mitochondrial complexes have provided significant insights into the electron and proton transfer pathways. However, due to large spatial separation between the electron and proton transfer routes, the molecular mechanism of coupling remains unclear. Here, based on atomistic molecular dynamics simulations performed on the entire structure of complex I from Thermus thermophilus, we studied the hydration of the quinone-binding site and the membrane-bound subunits. The data from simulations show rapid diffusion of water molecules in the protein interior, and formation of hydrated regions in the three antiporter-type subunits. An unexpected water-protein based connectivity between the middle of the Q-tunnel and the fourth proton channel is also observed. The protonation-state dependent dynamics of key acidic residues in the Nqo8 subunit suggest that the latter may be linked to redox-coupled proton pumping in complex I. We propose that in complex I the proton and electron transfer paths are not entirely separate, instead the nature of coupling may in part be ‘direct’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Outi Haapanen
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, P. O. Box 64, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, P. O. Box 692, FI-33101, Tampere, Finland
| | - Vivek Sharma
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, P. O. Box 64, FI-00014, Helsinki, Finland. .,Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, P. O. Box 692, FI-33101, Tampere, Finland. .,Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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18
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Crofts AR, Rose SW, Burton RL, Desai AV, Kenis PJA, Dikanov SA. The Q-Cycle Mechanism of the bc1 Complex: A Biologist’s Perspective on Atomistic Studies. J Phys Chem B 2017; 121:3701-3717. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b10524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Antony R. Crofts
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, 419 Roger Adams Lab, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Center
for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, 179 Loomis, 1110 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Stuart W. Rose
- Center
for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, 179 Loomis, 1110 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Rodney L. Burton
- Department
of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, 419 Roger Adams Lab, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Amit V. Desai
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Paul J. A. Kenis
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Sergei A. Dikanov
- Department
of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana−Champaign, 1008 West Hazelwood Drive, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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19
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Husen P, Solov'yov IA. Mutations at the Q o Site of the Cytochrome bc 1 Complex Strongly Affect Oxygen Binding. J Phys Chem B 2016; 121:3308-3317. [PMID: 27748117 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b08226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The homodimeric bc1 protein complex is embedded in membranes of mitochondria and photosynthetic bacteria, where it transports protons across the membrane to maintain an electrostatic potential used to drive ATP synthesis as part of the respiratory or photosynthetic pathways. The reaction cycle of the bc1 complex is driven by series of redox processes involving substrate molecules from the membrane, but occasional side reactions between an intermediate semiquinone substrate and molecular oxygen are suspected to be a source of toxic superoxide, which is believed to be a factor in aging. The present investigation employs molecular dynamics simulations to study the effect of mutations in the Qo binding sites of the bc1 complex on the ability of oxygen molecules to migrate to and bind at various locations within the complex. It is found that the mutations strongly affect the ability of oxygen to bind at the Qo sites, and moreover, different behavior of the two monomers of the bc1 complex is observed. The conformational differences at the Qo sites of the two monomers are studied in detail and discussed. The anionic form of semiquinone was identified as leading to the greatest opportunity for side reactions with oxygen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Husen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark , Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Ilia A Solov'yov
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark , Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
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20
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Barragan AM, Schulten K, Solov'yov IA. Mechanism of the Primary Charge Transfer Reaction in the Cytochrome bc 1 Complex. J Phys Chem B 2016; 120:11369-11380. [PMID: 27661199 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b07394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The bc1 complex is a critical enzyme for the ATP production in photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Its biochemical function relies on the so-called Q-cycle, which is well established and operates via quinol substrates that bind inside the protein complex. Despite decades of research, the quinol-protein interaction, which initiates the Q-cycle, has not yet been completely described. Furthermore, the initial charge transfer reactions of the Q-cycle lack a physical description. The present investigation utilizes classical molecular dynamics simulations in tandem with quantum density functional theory calculations, to provide a complete and consistent quantitative description of the primary events that occur within the bc1 complex upon quinol binding. In particular, the electron and proton transfer reactions that trigger the Q-cycle in the bc1 complex from Rhodobacter capsulatus are studied. The coupled nature of these charge transfer reactions was revealed by obtaining the transition energy path connecting configurations of the Qo-site prior and after the transfers. The analysis of orbitals and partial charge distribution of the different states of the Qo-site has further supported the conclusion. Finally, key structural elements of the bc1 complex that trigger the charge transfer reactions were established, manifesting the importance of the environment in the process, which is furthermore evidenced by free energy calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Barragan
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 1110 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 405 North Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Klaus Schulten
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 1110 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States.,Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 405 North Mathews Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Ilia A Solov'yov
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark , Campusvej 55, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
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21
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Atomistic determinants of co-enzyme Q reduction at the Q i-site of the cytochrome bc 1 complex. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33607. [PMID: 27667198 PMCID: PMC5035994 DOI: 10.1038/srep33607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The cytochrome (cyt) bc1 complex is an integral component of the respiratory electron transfer chain sustaining the energy needs of organisms ranging from humans to bacteria. Due to its ubiquitous role in the energy metabolism, both the oxidation and reduction of the enzyme’s substrate co-enzyme Q has been studied vigorously. Here, this vast amount of data is reassessed after probing the substrate reduction steps at the Qi-site of the cyt bc1 complex of Rhodobacter capsulatus using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. The simulations suggest that the Lys251 side chain could rotate into the Qi-site to facilitate binding of half-protonated semiquinone – a reaction intermediate that is potentially formed during substrate reduction. At this bent pose, the Lys251 forms a salt bridge with the Asp252, thus making direct proton transfer possible. In the neutral state, the lysine side chain stays close to the conserved binding location of cardiolipin (CL). This back-and-forth motion between the CL and Asp252 indicates that Lys251 functions as a proton shuttle controlled by pH-dependent negative feedback. The CL/K/D switching, which represents a refinement to the previously described CL/K pathway, fine-tunes the proton transfer process. Lastly, the simulation data was used to formulate a mechanism for reducing the substrate at the Qi-site.
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22
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Husen P, Solov'yov IA. Spontaneous Binding of Molecular Oxygen at the Qo-Site of the bc1 Complex Could Stimulate Superoxide Formation. J Am Chem Soc 2016; 138:12150-8. [PMID: 27447781 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b04849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A key part of the respiratory and photosynthetic pathways is the bc1 protein complex embedded in the inner membrane of mitochondria and the plasma membrane of photosynthetic bacteria. The protein complex pumps protons across the membrane to maintain an electrostatic potential, which is in turn used to drive ATP synthesis. This molecular machinery, however, is suspected to be a source of superoxide, which is toxic to the cell, even in minuscular quantities, and believed to be a factor in aging. Through molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate here the migration of molecular oxygen in the bc1 complex in order to identify possible reaction sites that could lead to superoxide formation. It is found, in particular, that oxygen penetrates spontaneously the Qo binding site of the bc1 complex in the presence of an intermediate semiquinone radical, thus making the Qo-site a strong candidate for being a center of superoxide production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Husen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark , Odense 5230, Denmark
| | - Ilia A Solov'yov
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark , Odense 5230, Denmark
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23
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Sjulstok E, Olsen JMH, Solov'yov IA. Quantifying electron transfer reactions in biological systems: what interactions play the major role? Sci Rep 2015; 5:18446. [PMID: 26689792 PMCID: PMC4686879 DOI: 10.1038/srep18446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Various biological processes involve the conversion of energy into forms that are usable for chemical transformations and are quantum mechanical in nature. Such processes involve light absorption, excited electronic states formation, excitation energy transfer, electrons and protons tunnelling which for example occur in photosynthesis, cellular respiration, DNA repair, and possibly magnetic field sensing. Quantum biology uses computation to model biological interactions in light of quantum mechanical effects and has primarily developed over the past decade as a result of convergence between quantum physics and biology. In this paper we consider electron transfer in biological processes, from a theoretical view-point; namely in terms of quantum mechanical and semi-classical models. We systematically characterize the interactions between the moving electron and its biological environment to deduce the driving force for the electron transfer reaction and to establish those interactions that play the major role in propelling the electron. The suggested approach is seen as a general recipe to treat electron transfer events in biological systems computationally, and we utilize it to describe specifically the electron transfer reactions in Arabidopsis thaliana cryptochrome-a signaling photoreceptor protein that became attractive recently due to its possible function as a biological magnetoreceptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Sjulstok
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Jógvan Magnus Haugaard Olsen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark.,Laboratory of Computational Chemistry and Biochemistry, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ilia A Solov'yov
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark
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24
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Abstract
Complex I functions as a redox-linked proton pump in the respiratory chains of mitochondria and bacteria, driven by the reduction of quinone (Q) by NADH. Remarkably, the distance between the Q reduction site and the most distant proton channels extends nearly 200 Å. To elucidate the molecular origin of this long-range coupling, we apply a combination of large-scale molecular simulations and a site-directed mutagenesis experiment of a key residue. In hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics simulations, we observe that reduction of Q is coupled to its local protonation by the His-38/Asp-139 ion pair and Tyr-87 of subunit Nqo4. Atomistic classical molecular dynamics simulations further suggest that formation of quinol (QH2) triggers rapid dissociation of the anionic Asp-139 toward the membrane domain that couples to conformational changes in a network of conserved charged residues. Site-directed mutagenesis data confirm the importance of Asp-139; upon mutation to asparagine the Q reductase activity is inhibited by 75%. The current results, together with earlier biochemical data, suggest that the proton pumping in complex I is activated by a unique combination of electrostatic and conformational transitions.
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25
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de Jong DH, Liguori N, van den Berg T, Arnarez C, Periole X, Marrink SJ. Atomistic and Coarse Grain Topologies for the Cofactors Associated with the Photosystem II Core Complex. J Phys Chem B 2015; 119:7791-803. [PMID: 26053327 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b00809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Electron transfers within and between protein complexes are core processes of the electron transport chains occurring in thylakoid (chloroplast), mitochondrial, and bacterial membranes. These electron transfers involve a number of cofactors. Here we describe the derivation of molecular mechanics parameters for the cofactors associated with the function of the photosystem II core complex: plastoquinone, plastoquinol, heme b, chlorophyll A, pheophytin, and β-carotene. Parameters were also obtained for ubiquinol and ubiquinone, related cofactors involved in the respiratory chain. Parameters were derived at both atomistic and coarse grain (CG) resolutions, compatible with the building blocks of the GROMOS united-atom and Martini CG force fields, respectively. Structural and thermodynamic properties of the cofactors were compared to experimental values when available. The topologies were further tested in molecular dynamics simulations of the cofactors in their physiological environment, e.g., either in a lipid membrane environment or in complex with the heme binding protein bacterioferritin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicoletta Liguori
- ‡Department of Physics and Astronomy and Institute for Lasers, Life and Biophotonics, Faculty of Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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26
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Abstract
Quinol oxidation in the catalytic quinol oxidation site (Qo site) of cytochrome (cyt) bc1 complexes is the key step of the Q cycle mechanism, which laid the ground for Mitchell’s chemiosmotic theory of energy conversion. Bifurcated electron transfer upon quinol oxidation enables proton uptake and release on opposite membrane sides, thus generating a proton gradient that fuels ATP synthesis in cellular respiration and photosynthesis. The Qo site architecture formed by cyt b and Rieske iron–sulfur protein (ISP) impedes harmful bypass reactions. Catalytic importance is assigned to four residues of cyt b formerly described as PEWY motif in the context of mitochondrial complexes, which we now denominate Qo motif as comprehensive evolutionary sequence analysis of cyt b shows substantial natural variance of the motif with phylogenetically specific patterns. In particular, the Qo motif is identified as PEWY in mitochondria, α- and ε-Proteobacteria, Aquificae, Chlorobi, Cyanobacteria, and chloroplasts. PDWY is present in Gram-positive bacteria, Deinococcus–Thermus and haloarchaea, and PVWY in β- and γ-Proteobacteria. PPWF only exists in Archaea. Distinct patterns for acidophilic organisms indicate environment-specific adaptations. Importantly, the presence of PDWY and PEWY is correlated with the redox potential of Rieske ISP and quinone species. We propose that during evolution from low to high potential electron-transfer systems in the emerging oxygenic atmosphere, cyt bc1 complexes with PEWY as Qo motif prevailed to efficiently use high potential ubiquinone as substrate, whereas cyt b with PDWY operate best with low potential Rieske ISP and menaquinone, with the latter being the likely composition of the ancestral cyt bc1 complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chun Kao
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ZBMZ, BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Carola Hunte
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ZBMZ, BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, Germany
- *Corresponding author: E-mail:
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27
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Infante-Rodriguez C, Domon L, Breuilles P, Uguen D. Asymmetric Synthesis of Stigmatellin and Crocacin C. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2015. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.20140271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Infante-Rodriguez
- Laboratoire de Synthèse Organique (associé au CNRS; UMR 7509), Ecole Européenne de Chimie, Polymères et Matériaux, Université de Strasbourg
| | - Lisianne Domon
- Laboratoire de Synthèse Organique (associé au CNRS; UMR 7509), Ecole Européenne de Chimie, Polymères et Matériaux, Université de Strasbourg
| | - Pascal Breuilles
- Laboratoire de Synthèse Organique (associé au CNRS; UMR 7509), Ecole Européenne de Chimie, Polymères et Matériaux, Université de Strasbourg
| | - Daniel Uguen
- Laboratoire de Synthèse Organique (associé au CNRS; UMR 7509), Ecole Européenne de Chimie, Polymères et Matériaux, Université de Strasbourg
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28
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Proton-coupled electron transfer and the role of water molecules in proton pumping by cytochrome c oxidase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:2040-5. [PMID: 25646428 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1409543112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular oxygen acts as the terminal electron sink in the respiratory chains of aerobic organisms. Cytochrome c oxidase in the inner membrane of mitochondria and the plasma membrane of bacteria catalyzes the reduction of oxygen to water, and couples the free energy of the reaction to proton pumping across the membrane. The proton-pumping activity contributes to the proton electrochemical gradient, which drives the synthesis of ATP. Based on kinetic experiments on the O-O bond splitting transition of the catalytic cycle (A → P(R)), it has been proposed that the electron transfer to the binuclear iron-copper center of O2 reduction initiates the proton pump mechanism. This key electron transfer event is coupled to an internal proton transfer from a conserved glutamic acid to the proton-loading site of the pump. However, the proton may instead be transferred to the binuclear center to complete the oxygen reduction chemistry, which would constitute a short-circuit. Based on atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of cytochrome c oxidase in an explicit membrane-solvent environment, complemented by related free-energy calculations, we propose that this short-circuit is effectively prevented by a redox-state-dependent organization of water molecules within the protein structure that gates the proton transfer pathway.
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29
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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: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [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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30
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Barragan AM, Crofts AR, Schulten K, Solov'yov IA. Identification of ubiquinol binding motifs at the Qo-site of the cytochrome bc1 complex. J Phys Chem B 2014; 119:433-47. [PMID: 25372183 PMCID: PMC4297238 DOI: 10.1021/jp510022w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Enzymes of the bc1 complex family power
the biosphere through their central role in respiration and photosynthesis.
These enzymes couple the oxidation of quinol molecules by cytochrome c to the transfer of protons across the membrane, to generate
a proton-motive force that drives ATP synthesis. Key for the function
of the bc1 complex is the initial redox
process that involves a bifurcated electron transfer in which the
two electrons from a quinol substrate are passed to different electron
acceptors in the bc1 complex. The electron
transfer is coupled to proton transfer. The overall mechanism of quinol
oxidation by the bc1 complex is well enough
characterized to allow exploration at the atomistic level, but details
are still highly controversial. The controversy stems from the uncertain
binding motifs of quinol at the so-called Qo active site of the bc1 complex.
Here we employ a combination of classical all atom molecular dynamics
and quantum chemical calculations to reveal the binding modes of quinol
at the Qo-site of the bc1 complex from Rhodobacter capsulatus. The calculations suggest a novel configuration of amino acid residues
responsible for quinol binding and support a mechanism for proton-coupled
electron transfer from quinol to iron–sulfur cluster through
a bridging hydrogen bond from histidine that stabilizes the reaction
complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Barragan
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 1110 W. Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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31
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Tikhonov AN. The cytochrome b6f complex at the crossroad of photosynthetic electron transport pathways. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2014; 81:163-83. [PMID: 24485217 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2013.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2013] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of photosynthetic electron transport at the level of the cytochrome b6f complex provides efficient performance of the chloroplast electron transport chain (ETC). In this review, after brief overview of the structural organization of the chloroplast ETC, the consideration of the problem of electron transport control is focused on the plastoquinone (PQ) turnover and its interaction with the b6f complex. The data available show that the rates of plastoquinol (PQH2) formation in PSII and its diffusion to the b6f complex do not limit the overall rate of electron transfer between photosystem II (PSII) and photosystem I (PSI). Analysis of experimental and theoretical data demonstrates that the rate-limiting step in the intersystem chain of electron transport is determined by PQH2 oxidation at the Qo-site of the b6f complex, which is accompanied by the proton release into the thylakoid lumen. The acidification of the lumen causes deceleration of PQH2 oxidation, thus impeding the intersystem electron transport. Two other mechanisms of regulation of the intersystem electron transport have been considered: (i) "state transitions" associated with the light-induced redistribution of solar energy between PSI and PSII, and (ii) redistribution of electron fluxes between alternative pathways (noncyclic electron transport and cyclic electron flow around PSI).
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32
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Computer modeling of electron and proton transport in chloroplasts. Biosystems 2014; 121:1-21. [PMID: 24835748 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2014.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2014] [Revised: 04/27/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Photosynthesis is one of the most important biological processes in biosphere, which provides production of organic substances from atmospheric CO2 and water at expense of solar energy. In this review, we contemplate computer models of oxygenic photosynthesis in the context of feedback regulation of photosynthetic electron transport in chloroplasts, the energy-transducing organelles of the plant cell. We start with a brief overview of electron and proton transport processes in chloroplasts coupled to ATP synthesis and consider basic regulatory mechanisms of oxygenic photosynthesis. General approaches to computer simulation of photosynthetic processes are considered, including the random walk models of plastoquinone diffusion in thylakoid membranes and deterministic approach to modeling electron transport in chloroplasts based on the mass action law. Then we focus on a kinetic model of oxygenic photosynthesis that includes key stages of the linear electron transport, alternative pathways of electron transfer around photosystem I (PSI), transmembrane proton transport and ATP synthesis in chloroplasts. This model includes different regulatory processes: pH-dependent control of the intersystem electron transport, down-regulation of photosystem II (PSII) activity (non-photochemical quenching), the light-induced activation of the Bassham-Benson-Calvin (BBC) cycle. The model correctly describes pH-dependent feedback control of electron transport in chloroplasts and adequately reproduces a variety of experimental data on induction events observed under different experimental conditions in intact chloroplasts (variations of CO2 and O2 concentrations in atmosphere), including a complex kinetics of P700 (primary electron donor in PSI) photooxidation, CO2 consumption in the BBC cycle, and photorespiration. Finally, we describe diffusion-controlled photosynthetic processes in chloroplasts within the framework of the model that takes into account complex architecture of chloroplasts and lateral heterogeneity of lamellar system of thylakoids. The lateral profiles of pH in the thylakoid lumen and in the narrow gap between grana thylakoids have been calculated under different metabolic conditions. Analyzing topological aspects of diffusion-controlled stages of electron and proton transport in chloroplasts, we conclude that along with the NPQ mechanism of attenuation of PSII activity and deceleration of PQH2 oxidation by the cytochrome b6f complex caused by the lumen acidification, the intersystem electron transport may be down-regulated due to the light-induced alkalization of the narrow partition between adjacent thylakoids of grana. The computer models of electron and proton transport described in this article may be integrated as appropriate modules into a comprehensive model of oxygenic photosynthesis.
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Tikhonov AN. pH-dependent regulation of electron transport and ATP synthesis in chloroplasts. PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 2013; 116:511-34. [PMID: 23695653 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-013-9845-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
This review is focused on pH-dependent mechanisms of regulation of photosynthetic electron transport and ATP synthesis in chloroplasts. The light-induced acidification of the thylakoid lumen is known to decelerate the plastoquinol oxidation by the cytochrome b 6 f complex, thus impeding the electron flow between photosystem II and photosystem I. Acidification of the lumen also triggers the dissipation of excess energy in the light-harvesting antenna of photosystem II, thereby protecting the photosynthetic apparatus against a solar stress. After brief description of structural and functional organization of the chloroplast electron transport chain, our attention is focused on the nature of the rate-limiting step of electron transfer between photosystem II and photosystem I. In the context of pH-dependent mechanism of photosynthetic control in chloroplasts, the mechanisms of plastoquinol oxidation by the cytochrome b 6 f complex have been considered. The light-induced alkalization of stroma is another factor of pH-dependent regulation of electron transport in chloroplasts. Alkalization of stroma induces activation of the Bassham-Benson-Calvin cycle reactions, thereby promoting efflux of electrons from photosystem I to NADP(+). The mechanisms of the light-induced activation of ATP synthase are briefly considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander N Tikhonov
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Physics, M. V. Lomonosov, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia,
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Pöyry S, Cramariuc O, Postila PA, Kaszuba K, Sarewicz M, Osyczka A, Vattulainen I, Róg T. Atomistic simulations indicate cardiolipin to have an integral role in the structure of the cytochrome bc1 complex. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2013; 1827:769-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2013.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2012] [Revised: 03/05/2013] [Accepted: 03/13/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Parameterization of the prosthetic redox centers of the bacterial cytochrome bc 1 complex for atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Theor Chem Acc 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00214-013-1370-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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