University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Purification and Characterization of the Cytochrome BC(1) Complex From Rhodobacter Sphaeroides

Andrews, Katherine McKee

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Description

Title
Purification and Characterization of the Cytochrome BC(1) Complex From Rhodobacter Sphaeroides
Author(s)
Andrews, Katherine McKee
Issue Date
1988
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Gennis, Robert B.
Department of Study
Biochemistry
Discipline
Biochemistry
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Chemistry, Biochemistry
  • Biophysics, General
Abstract
A highly active, large-scale preparation of ubiquinol:cytochrome $c\sb2$ oxidoreductase (cytochrome $bc\sb1$ complex) has been obtained from Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The enzyme was extracted from chromatophores using dodecyl maltoside in the presence of glycerol, and was purified by anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed the presence of four polypeptide subunits with apparent molecular weight values of 40, 34, 27, and 14 kDa. Values for ubiquinol, phospholipid, and iron content were determined, and the activity of the complex was shown to be enhanced in the presence of phospholipid. Full absorption spectrum redox titrations showed that the two thermodynamically distinct $b$-hemes and cytochrome $c\sb1$ possessed spectral features and redox midpoint potentials similar to those found in chromatophores. Redox titrations of the Rieske iron-sulfur center were monitored by low-temperature EPR spectroscopy, and its midpoint potential was shifted from +280 to +315 mV upon addition of inhibitor. The redox properties of the antimycin-sensitive ubiquinone species were also studied by EPR spectroscopy, and a pH dependence of $-$53 mV/pH unit was observed for the midpoint of the bound Q$\sb{\rm i}$/Q$\sb{\rm i}$H$\sb2$ couple. The results were very similar to those obtained in chromatophores. The purification procedure yielded at least 35 mg of pure cytochrome $bc\sb1$ complex from four grams of membrane protein, with a specific heme content of 8.9 nmol $c\sb1$ per mg protein, and consistently resulted in an enzyme preparation which catalyzed the reduction of horse heart cytochrome $c$ with a turnover in excess of 300 sec$\sp{-1}$.
Graduation Semester
1988
Type of Resource
text
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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/70573

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Dissertations and Theses - Biochemistry