Structure of the bc₁-cbb₃ respiratory supercomplex from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Energy conversion by electron transport chains occurs through the sequential transfer of electrons between protein complexes and intermediate electron carriers, creating the proton motive force that enables ATP synthesis and membrane transport. These protein complexes can also form higher order assemblies known as respiratory supercomplexes (SCs). The electron transport chain of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is closely linked with its ability to invade host tissue, tolerate harsh conditions, and resist antibiotics but is poorly characterized. Here, we determine the structure of a P. aeruginosa SC that forms between the quinol:cytochrome c oxidoreductase (cytochrome bc₁) and one of the organism's terminal oxidases, cytochrome cbb₃, which is found only in some bacteria. Remarkably, the SC structure also includes two intermediate electron carriers: a diheme cytochrome c₄ and a single heme cytochrome c₅. Together, these proteins allow electron transfer from ubiquinol in cytochrome bc₁ to oxygen in cytochrome cbb₃. We also present evidence that different isoforms of cytochrome cbb₃ can participate in formation of this SC without changing the overall SC architecture. Incorporating these different subunit isoforms into the SC would allow the bacterium to adapt to different environmental conditions. Bioinformatic analysis focusing on structural motifs in the SC suggests that cytochrome bc₁-cbb₃ SCs also exist in other bacterial pathogens.