Cytochrome oxidase (a3) heme and copper observed by low-temperature Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of the CO complex.

Carbon monoxide bound to iron or copper in substrate-reduced mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (ferrocytochrome c:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.9.3.1) from beef heart has been used to explore the structural interaction of the a3 heme-copper pocket at 15 K and 80 K in the dark and in the presence of visible light. The vibrational absorptions of CO measured by a Fourier transform infrared interferometer occur in the dark at 1963 cm-1, with small absorptions near 1952 cm-1, and are due to a3 heme--CO complexes. These disappear in strong visible light and are replaced by a major absorption at 2062 cm-1 and a minor one at 2043 cm-1 due to Cu--CO. Relaxation in the dark is rapid and quantitative at 210 K, but becomes negligible below 140 K. The multiple absorptions indicate structural heterogeneity of cytochrome oxidase in mitochondria. The Cu--CO absorptions (vCO) are similar to those in hemocyanin--CO complexes from molluscs (vCO - 2062 cm-1) and crustaceans (vCO = 2043 cm-1). The 2062 cm-1 Cu--CO absorption of cytochrome oxidase is split into two bands at 15 K. Analysis of spectral data suggest the presence of a very nonpolar heme--Cu pocket in which the heme-CO complex is highly ordered, but in which the Cu--CO complex is much more flexible, especially above 80 K. A function for these structures in oxygen reduction is proposed.