Oxidation-reduction potentials and spectral properties of some cytochromes from Thiobacillus versutus (A2)

Cytochromes c-550 (acidic), c-550 (basic), c-551 and c-552.5 from Thiobacillus versutus have been highly purified and characterized. Their spectral properties at 77 K are described. Oxidation-reduction titrations of cytochromes c-550 (acidic) and c-550 (basic) showed them to exhibit Nernst values of n = 1, with single redox centres in the cytochromes, and to have midpoint redox potentials at pH 7.0 (Em,7) of 290 and 260 mV, respectively. Cytochrome c-551 contained two separately titratable redox components, each giving n = 1. The low potential centre (55% of titratable cytochrome) and the high potential centre (45%) had Em,7 values of -115 and +240 mV, respectively. Cytochrome c-552.5 also contained at least two redox centres. One (65% of titratable cytochrome) had n = 1 and Em,7 = 220 mV. The remaining 35% appeared to be a low potential component with an Em,7 possibly as low as -215 mV. the roles of these cytochromes in respiratory thiosulphate oxidation are discussed.