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Related Concept Videos

Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV01:43

Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV

During the electron transport chain, electrons from NADH and FADH2 are first transferred to complexes I and II, respectively. These two complexes then transfer the electrons to ubiquinol, which carries them further to complex III. Complex III passes the electrons across the intermembrane space to Cyt c, which carries them further to complex IV. Complex IV donates electrons to oxygen and reduces it to water. As electrons pass through complexes I, III, and IV, the energy released aids the pumping...
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The energy released from the breakdown of the chemical bonds within nutrients can be stored either through the reduction of electron carriers or in the bonds of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In living systems, a small class of compounds functions as mobile electron carriers, molecules that bind to and shuttle high-energy electrons between compounds in pathways. The principal electron carriers that will be considered originate from the B vitamin group and are derivatives of nucleotides; they are...
Cofactors and Coenzymes01:24

Cofactors and Coenzymes

Enzymes are proteins made of amino acids. The functional group of each constituent amino acid catalyzes a wide variety of chemical reactions via ionic interactions or acid-base reactions. However, amino acids cannot catalyze oxidation-reduction and group transfer reactions and need to be aided by non-protein components called cofactors. Cofactors are also referred to as the chemical teeth of an enzyme.
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Cofactors and Coenzymes01:27

Cofactors and Coenzymes

Enzymes require additional components for proper function. There are two such classes of molecules: cofactors and coenzymes. Cofactors are metallic ions and coenzymes are non-protein organic molecules. Both of these types of helper molecule can be tightly bound to the enzyme or bound only when the substrate binds.
Cofactors and Coenzymes01:27

Cofactors and Coenzymes

Enzymes require additional components for proper function. There are two such classes of molecules: cofactors and coenzymes. Cofactors are metallic ions and coenzymes are non-protein organic molecules. Both of these types of helper molecule can be tightly bound to the enzyme or bound only when the substrate binds.
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The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
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EPR Monitored Redox Titration of the Cofactors of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nar1
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RNA with iron(II) as a cofactor catalyses electron transfer.

Chiaolong Hsiao1, I-Chun Chou, C Denise Okafor

  • 1School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and NASA Astrobiology Institute Center for Ribosomal Origins and Evolution, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA.

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Iron (Fe2+) may have been an early RNA cofactor, enabling electron transfer catalysis before magnesium (Mg2+) became dominant. This study explores RNA

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Published on: December 3, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Origin of Life
  • RNA Catalysis

Background:

  • Magnesium (Mg2+) is crucial for RNA structure and function.
  • Early Earth's anoxic environment was rich in iron (Fe2+).
  • Photosynthesis led to the 'great oxidation,' potentially replacing Fe2+ with Mg2+ for RNA.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Fe2+ as an RNA cofactor in an anoxic environment.
  • To explore if Fe2+ expands RNA's catalytic capabilities beyond Mg2+.

Main Methods:

  • Recreating an anoxic environment with Fe2+ instead of Mg2+.
  • Assessing RNA's catalytic activity in the presence of Fe2+.

Main Results:

  • Fe2+ confers a novel single-electron transfer catalytic ability to some RNAs.
  • RNA's catalytic repertoire is expanded under Fe2+ conditions.

Conclusions:

  • RNA function is metal-dependent and can be understood in the context of various metal cofactors.
  • The rise of oxygen may have limited RNA's electron transfer capabilities, impacting early metabolism.