Cytochrome c: Surfing Off of the Mitochondrial Membrane on the Tops of Complexes III and IV

The proper arrangement of protein components within the respiratory electron transport chain is nowadays a matter of intense debate, since altering it leads to cell aging and other related pathologies. Here, we discuss three current views-the so-called solid, fluid and plasticity models-which descri...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Pérez Mejías, Gonzalo, Guerra Castellano, Alejandra, Díaz Quintana, Antonio Jesús, Rosa Acosta, Miguel Ángel de la, Díaz Moreno, Irene
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Sevilla (US)
Repositorio:idUS. Depósito de Investigación de la Universidad de Sevilla
OAI Identifier:oai:idus.us.es:11441/87640
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/11441/87640
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2019.05.002
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Cytochrome c
Mitochondria
Phosphorylation
Reactive oxygen species
Respiratory supercomplexes
Descripción
Sumario:The proper arrangement of protein components within the respiratory electron transport chain is nowadays a matter of intense debate, since altering it leads to cell aging and other related pathologies. Here, we discuss three current views-the so-called solid, fluid and plasticity models-which describe the organization of the main membrane-embedded mitochondrial protein complexes and the key elements that regulate and/or facilitate supercomplex assembly. The soluble electron carrier cytochrome c has recently emerged as an essential factor in the assembly and function of respiratory supercomplexes. In fact, a 'restricted diffusion pathway' mechanism for electron transfer between complexes III and IV has been proposed based on the secondary, distal binding sites for cytochrome c at its two membrane partners recently discovered. This channeling pathway facilitates the surfing of cytochrome c on both respiratory complexes, thereby tuning the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation and diminishing the production of reactive oxygen species. The well-documented post-translational modifications of cytochrome c could further contribute to the rapid adjustment of electron flow in response to changing cellular conditions.