Purification of Paracoccus denitrificans cytochrome c552 and sequence analysis of the gene

Unlike mitochondria, many bacteria use a large repertoire of c-type cytochromes in different branches of their electron transport system. Among the many cytochromes c present in the soil bacterium Paracoccus denitrificans, a membrane-bound cytochrome (c552) has been suggested to mediate the electron transport between the cytochrome bc1 complex and cytochrome-c oxidase [Berry, E. A. & Trumpower, B. L. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 2458-2467]. We have purified this cytochrome from cytoplasmic membranes, and cloned and sequenced its gene, cycM. Sequence analysis reveals that, while its C-terminal portion is highly similar to type-I cytochromes c, its N-terminal part contains a hydrophobic segment providing membrane attachment. In addition, we present immunological evidence for its functional role in respiration.