Coenzyme Q - cytochrome c reductase
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CoQCytCReductase-1KYO.png
The Coenzyme Q - cytochrome c reductase complex, sometimes called the cytochrome bc1 complex, and at other times Complex III, is the third complex in the electron transfer chain (PDB 1KYO (http://www.rcsb.org/pdb/cgi/explore.cgi?pid=97471034356082&page=0&pdbId=1KYO), EC 1.10.2.2 (http://www.expasy.org/cgi-bin/nicezyme.pl?1.10.2.2)). It is a transmembrane lipoprotein, and it catalyzes the reduction of cytochrome c by accepting reducing equivalents from Coenzyme Q (CoQ):
- CoQH2+ 2 Fe+3-cytochrome c → CoQ + 2 Fe+2-cytochrome c
In the process, protons are translocated across the mitochondrial membrane. Therefore, the bc1 complex is a proton pump.
Compared to the other major proton pumping subunits of the electron transport chain, the number of subunits found can be small, as small as three polypeptide chains. This number does increase, and as many as eleven subunits can be found in higher animals. The major prosthetic groups in the complex are a pair of cytochromes, the b cytochrome and the c1 cytochrome, and a two iron, two sulfur iron-sulfur cluster.
External link
- Cytochrome bc1 complex page (http://metallo.scripps.edu/PROMISE/CYTBC1.html).