The reaction with oxygen of cytochrome oxidase (cytochrome d) in Escherichia coli K12: optical studies of intermediate species and cytochrome b oxidation at sub-zero temperatures.

Optical changes in d- and b-type cytochromes, following initiation of the reaction of cytochrome oxidase d with O2, have been studied in cells and derived membrane particles from oxygen-limited cultures of Escherichia coli K12. At successively higher temperatures between -132 and -88 degrees C, the first scan after photolysis of the Co-liganded, reduced oxidase in the presence of O2 and a slow increase in absorbance at 675 to 680 nm due to an unidentified chromophore. A similar sequence occurs when a single sample is scanned repetitively at -91 degrees C. At higher temperatures, oxidation of at least two spectrally distinct cytochromes b occurs. Selective photolysis of the cytochrome d-CO complex with a He-Ne laser shows that neither of these cytochromes is the CO-binding cytochrome o436. In all oxidation states examined, no absorbance in the 720 to 860 nm region was observed; it is concluded that both cytochromes d and o436 lack redox-active copper that has an environment similar to the copper(s) in mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase. The amount of cytochrome d650 (but not the amount of reduced cytochrome o436) formed after photolysis is directly proportional to the oxygen concentration in the sample at the time of freeze trapping. The results are discussed in relation to the composition and mechanism of action of cytochrome d.