Changing hydration level in an internal cavity modulates the proton affinity of a key glutamate in cytochrome c oxidase.

ABSTRACT: Cytochrome c oxidase contributes to the transmembrane proton gradient by removing two protons from the high-pH side of the membrane each time the binuclear center active site is reduced. One proton goes to the binuclear center, whereas the other is pumped to the low-pH periplasmic space. Glutamate 286 (Glu286) has been proposed to serve as a transiently deprotonated proton donor. Using unrestrained atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, we show that the size of and water distribution in the hydrophobic cavity that holds Glu286 is controlled by the protonation state of the propionic acid of heme a3, a group on the proton outlet pathway. Protonation of the propionate disrupts hydrogen bonding to two side chains, allowing a loop to swing open. Continuum electrostatics and atomistic free-en

SUBMITTER: Goyal P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3839721 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature