chiniofon and duroquinol

We have investigated the functional relationship between three of the prosthetic groups of Escherichia coli nitrate reductase A (NarGHI): the two hemes of the membrane anchor subunit (NarI) and the [3Fe-4S] cluster of the electron-transfer subunit (NarH). In two site-directed mutants (NarGHI(H56R) and NarGHI(H205Y)) that lack the highest potential heme of NarI (heme b(H)), a large negative DeltaE(m,7) is elicited on the NarH [3Fe-4S] cluster, suggesting a close juxtaposition of these two centers in the holoenzyme. In a mutant retaining heme b(H), but lacking heme b(L) (NarGHI(H66Y)), there is no effect on the NarH [3Fe-4S] cluster redox properties. These results suggest a role for heme b(H) in electron transfer to the [3Fe-4S] cluster. Studies of the pH dependence of the [3Fe-4S] cluster, heme b(H), and heme b(L) E(m) values suggest that significant deprotonation is only observed during oxidation of the latter heme (a pH dependence of -36 mV pH(-1)). In NarI expressed in the absence of NarGH [NarI(DeltaGH)], apparent exposure of heme b(H) to the aqueous milieu results in both it and heme b(L) having E(m) values with pH dependencies of approximately -30 mV pH(-1). These results are consistent with heme b(H) being isolated from the aqueous milieu and pH effects in the holoenzyme. Optical spectroscopy indicates that inhibitors such as HOQNO and stigmatellin bind and inhibit oxidation of heme b(L) but do not inhibit oxidation of heme b(H). Fluorescence quench titrations indicate that HOQNO binds with higher affinity to the reduced form of NarGHI than to the oxidized form. Overall, the data support the following model for electron transfer through the NarI region of NarGHI: Q(P) site --> heme b(L) --> heme b(H) --> [3Fe-4S] cluster.

Topics: Benzoquinones; Dimerization; Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; Electron Transport; Enzyme Inhibitors; Escherichia coli; Heme; Holoenzymes; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hydroquinones; Hydroxyquinolines; Iron-Sulfur Proteins; Multigene Family; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; Nitrate Reductases; Oxidation-Reduction; Polyenes; Potentiometry; Protein Binding; Reducing Agents; Spectrophotometry

Previous reports that whole cells of Methylophilus methylotrophus oxidase exogenous NADH have been investigated. Essentially identical rates of oxygen consumption were observed following the addition of methanol or NADH to whole cells. Both activities were inhibited by EDTA and hydroxylamine, but not by HQNO, and exhibited similar pH optima. Analyses of the reaction stoichiometry with NADH as substrate showed that the expected amount of oxygen was consumed, but also revealed acidification (instead of alkalinisation) and no oxidation of NADH. Further studies showed that commercial NADH is contaminated with ethanol which is oxidised to acetic acid by the low specificity methanol oxidase system present in this organism. The oxidation of exogenous NADH by whole cells of M. methylotrophus reported previously is therefore spurious.

Topics: Bacteria; Edetic Acid; Ethanol; Hydroquinones; Hydroxylamines; Hydroxyquinolines; Methanol; NAD; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxygen Consumption