Electrode assemblies composed of redox cascades from microbial respiratory electron transfer chains

Biochem Soc Trans. 2013 Oct;41(5):1249-53. doi: 10.1042/BST20130147.

Abstract

Respiratory and photosynthetic electron transfer chains are dependent on vectorial electron transfer through a series of redox proteins. Examples include electron transfer from NapC to NapAB nitrate reductase in Paracoccus denitrificans and from CymA to Fcc3 (flavocytochrome c3) fumarate reductase in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. In the present article, we demonstrate that graphite electrodes can serve as surfaces for the stepwise adsorption of NapC and NapAB, and the stepwise adsorption of CymA and Fcc3. Aspects of the catalytic properties of these assemblies are different from those of NapAB and Fcc3 adsorbed in isolation. We propose that this is due to the formation of NapC-NapAB and of CymA-Fcc3 complexes that are capable of supporting vectorial electron transfer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Respiration / genetics*
  • Cytochrome c Group / chemistry
  • Electron Transport / genetics
  • Nitrate Reductase / chemistry*
  • Nitrate Reductases / chemistry
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Paracoccus denitrificans / enzymology
  • Photosynthesis / genetics*
  • Shewanella / enzymology
  • Succinate Dehydrogenase / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cytochrome c Group
  • cytochrome c(3)
  • flavocytochrome c3
  • Succinate Dehydrogenase
  • Nitrate Reductases
  • Nitrate Reductase