Interaction between cytochrome c and ubiquinone-cytochrome c oxidoreductase: a study with water-soluble carbodiimides

The role of carboxyl groups on the interaction between ubiquinone-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (Complex III) and cytochrome c has been probed using the two water-soluble carbodiimides EDC (1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide) and CMC (1-cyclohexyl-3-(2-morpholinyl-4-ethyl) carbodiimide metho-p-toluensulphonate). The results suggest that: 1) carboxyl groups present on both cytochrome c1 and subunit VIII are modified. Some of these residues are shielded by cytochrome c. 2) The enzyme activity decreases during the carbodiimide treatment and the extent of inhibition is larger in the presence of cytochrome c. 3) Cytochrome c, equimolar with the enzyme, cross-links to cytochrome c1 and subunit VIII via the carbodiimide-activated carboxyl groups. The two subunits appear to be in contact in the isolated enzyme.