Fe-S protein

The second step involves the transfer of electrons from the reduced [FMNHg] to a series of Fe-S proteins, including both 2Fe-2S and 4Fe-4S clusters (see Figures 20.8 and 20.16). The unique redox properties of the flavin group of FMN are probably important here. NADH is a two-electron donor, whereas the Fe-S proteins are one-electron transfer agents. The flavin of FMN has three redox states—the oxidized, semiquinone, and reduced states. It can act as either a one-electron or a two-electron transfer agent and may serve as a critical link between NADH and the Fe-S proteins. 

Complex II is perhaps better known by its other name—succinate dehydrogenase, the only TCA cycle enzyme that is an integral membrane protein in the inner mitochondrial membrane. This enzyme has a mass of approximately 100 to 140 kD and is composed of four subunits two Fe-S proteins of masses 70 kD and 27 kD, and two other peptides of masses 15 kD and 13 kD. Also known as flavoprotein 2 (FP2), it contains an FAD covalently bound to a histidine residue (see Figure 20.15), and three Fe-S centers a 4Fe-4S cluster, a 3Fe-4S cluster, and a 2Fe-2S cluster. When succinate is converted to fumarate in the TCA cycle, concomitant reduction of bound FAD to FADHg occurs in succinate dehydrogenase. This FADHg transfers its electrons immediately to Fe-S centers, which pass them on to UQ. Electron flow from succinate to UQ,... 

In the third complex of the electron transport chain, reduced coenzyme Q (UQHg) passes its electrons to cytochrome c via a unique redox pathway known as the Q cycle. UQ cytochrome c reductase (UQ-cyt c reductase), as this complex is known, involves three different cytochromes and an Fe-S protein. In the cytochromes of these and similar complexes, the iron atom at the center of the porphyrin ring cycles between the reduced Fe (ferrous) and oxidized Fe (ferric) states. 

The simplest NHIP is rubredoxin, in which the single iron atom is coordinated (Fig. 25.9a) to 4 S atoms belonging to cysteine residues in the protein chain. It differs from the other Fe-S proteins in having no labile sulfur (i.e. inorganic sulfur which can be liberated as H2S by treatment with mineral acid sulfur atoms of this type are not part of the protein, but form bridges between Fe atoms.)... 

Research on Fe-S proteins in the Johnson laboratory is supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (GM45597 and GM51962) and by a National Science Foundation Research Training Grant Award to the Center for Metalloenzyme Studies (BIR-9413236). 

Although this spectrum had never been observed for any Fe-S protein, it was reminiscent of, and indeed nearly identical to the EPR spectrum of the synthetic model compound [FeeSeiLIe] where L = Cl, Br, I, RS, or RO (S). The spectrum of this synthetic cluster. 

MCD results more or less confirmed the conclusions drawn from previous EPR data (27). The shapes of the MCD spectra of the putative prismane protein in the 3+, 4+, and 5+ states had not been observed for any Fe-S protein. This was not surprising, since every single type of Fe-S cluster is considered to exhibit a unique MCD spectrum. Magnetization data confirmed the S = ground state of the 5-1- state, as well as the S = 4 ground state of the 4+ state. Unexpectedly, in addition to the S = 4 contribution, a considerable diamagnetic contribution was observed for the 4-1- state. The nature of the diamagnetic contribution was not understood a physical spin mixture was considered to be a possible explanation. 

Resonance Raman studies on the putative prismane protein would provide other important information. In the frequency region of 200-430 cm the putative prismane protein showed bands that at first sight seemed to be typical for Fe-S clusters, but at a closer look appeared to be broader than those observed in basic Fe-S proteins. Also, the resonance frequencies were slightly different from known Fe-S clusters, and it was contended that A prismane-type [6Fe-6S] core is clearly an excellent candidate in light of the available analytical and biophysical data [28]. 

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