Nitrocytochrome c: synthesis, purification, and functional studies

Methods Enzymol. 2008:441:197-215. doi: 10.1016/S0076-6879(08)01211-1.

Abstract

Posttranslational protein tyrosine oxidation, to yield 3-nitrotyrosine, is a biologically relevant protein modification related with acute and chronic inflammation and degenerative processes. It is usually associated with a decrease or loss in protein function. However, in some proteins, tyrosine nitration results in an increase or gain in protein function. Nitration of cytochrome c by biological oxidants in vitro can be achieved via different mechanisms, which include reactions with peroxynitrite, nitrite plus hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide plus hydrogen peroxide, and result in a loss in its electron transport capacity and in a higher peroxidatic activity. This chapter describes the methodology for studying chemical and biological properties of nitrocytochrome c. In particular, we report methods to synthesize tyrosine-nitrated cytochrome c, purify cytochrome c mononitrated species, map the sites of tyrosine nitration, and investigate the functional consequences of nitrated cytochrome c on mitochondrial electron transport properties, peroxidatic activity, and apoptosome assembly.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytochromes c* / chemical synthesis
  • Cytochromes c* / isolation & purification
  • Cytochromes c* / physiology
  • Humans
  • Nitrates* / chemical synthesis
  • Nitrates* / chemistry
  • Nitrates* / isolation & purification
  • Nitrates* / physiology

Substances

  • Nitrates
  • Cytochromes c