Resonance Raman Study on the Proton Pumping Mechanism of Cytochrome c Oxidase

细胞色素c氧化酶在维持细胞生命的呼吸中起着至关重要的作用，并催化双氧还原为水，这与质子跨膜泵送相结合。为了阐明这种酶的作用机理，需要用共振拉曼光谱来测定皮米级的高分辨率结构。在本研究中，我们建立了一些拉曼信号的分配。此外，还检测到两种血红素的中间构象状态和合作动力学，这是高效质子泵所必需的。

Cytochrome c oxidase plays an essentially important function in cell respiration to maintain life, and catalyzes dioxygen reduction to water, which is coupled with proton pumping across the membrane. In order to elucidate the mechanism of this enzyme, high resolution structures at a picometer level are to be determined by resonance Raman spectroscopy. In the present study, we have established assignments of some Raman siganals. In addition, an intermediate conformational state and cooperative dynamics of the two hemes have been detected, which are essential for an efficient proton pump.