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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America logoLink to Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
. 1992 Jan 15;89(2):723–727. doi: 10.1073/pnas.89.2.723

Could CuB be the site of redox linkage in cytochrome c oxidase?

R W Larsen 1, L P Pan 1, S M Musser 1, Z Y Li 1, S I Chan 1
PMCID: PMC48311  PMID: 1309955

Abstract

This paper explores the proton pumping function of cytochrome c oxidase [ferrocytochrome-c:oxygen oxidoreductase (EC 1.9.3.1)] based upon redox linkage at the "high-potential" CuB center. A model is proposed that is derived from a redox-linked ligand exchange mechanism previously described for the CuA site. Qualitative analysis of this mechanism indicates that such a mechanism is feasible. However, the relatively short distance between CuB and cytochrome a3 implies that the uncoupling electron transfers are quite facile. In addition, the position of the CuB center with respect to the inner mitochondrial membrane argues against redox linkage at the CuB site.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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