An unconventional copper protein required for cytochrome c oxidase respiratory function under extreme acidic conditions.

ABSTRACT: Very little is known about the processes used by acidophile organisms to preserve stability and function of respiratory pathways. Here, we reveal a potential strategy of these organisms for protecting and keeping functional key enzymes under extreme conditions. Using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, we have identified a protein belonging to a new cupredoxin subfamily, AcoP, for "acidophile CcO partner," which is required for the cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) function. We show that it is a multifunctional copper protein with at least two roles as follows: (i) as a chaperone-like protein involved in the protection of the Cu(A) center of the CcO complex and (ii) as a linker between the periplasmic cytochrome c and the inner membrane cytochrome c oxidase. It could represent an interesting model fo

SUBMITTER: Castelle C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2898452 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature