A structural model of the cytochrome C reductase/oxidase supercomplex from yeast mitochondria.
Mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes are arranged in supercomplexes within the inner membrane. Interaction of cytochrome c reductase (complex III) and cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV) was investigated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Projection maps at 15 A resolution of supercomplexes III(2) + IV(1) and III(2) + IV(2) were obtained by electron microscopy. Based on a comparison of our maps with atomic x-ray structures for complexes III and IV we present a pseudo-atomic model of their precise interaction. Two complex IV monomers are specifically attached to dimeric complex III with their convex sides. The opposite sides, which represent the complex IV dimer interface in the x-ray structure, are open for complex IV-complex IV interactions. This could lead to oligomerization of III(2) + IV(2) supercomplexes, but this was not detected. Instead, binding of cytochrome c to the supercomplexes was revealed. It was calculated that cytochrome c has to move less than 40 A at the surface of the supercomplex for electron transport between complex III(2) and complex IV. Hence, the prime function of the supercomplex III(2) + IV(2) is proposed to be a scaffold for effective electron transport between complexes III and IV.
Heinemeyer
Jesco
J
Institute for Plant Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Universität Hannover, Herrenhäuser Strasse 2, 30419 Hannover, Germany.
Braun
Hans-Peter
HP
Boekema
Egbert J
EJ
Kouril
Roman
R
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003579:Cytochrome Reductases / Q000737:chemistry*; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000737:chemistry; D019281:Dimerization; D004579:Electron Transport; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000201:enzymology*; D013395:Sucrose / Q000494:pharmacology
D013395:Sucrose; D045304:Cytochromes c; D003579:Cytochrome Reductases; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV