D
IPR024094

Cytochrome f large domain

InterPro entry
Short nameCyt_f_lg_dom
Overlapping
homologous
superfamilies
 

Description

The cytochrome b6f integral membrane protein complex transfers electrons between the two reaction centre complexes of oxygenic photosynthetic membranes, and participates in formation of the transmembrane electrochemical proton gradient by also transferring protons from the stromal to the internal lumen compartment. The cytochrome b6f complex contains four polypeptides: cytochrome f (285 aa); cytochrome b6 (215 aa); Rieske iron-sulphur protein (179 aa); and subunit IV (160 aa)
[2]
. In its structure and functions, the cytochrome b6f complex bears extensive analogy to the cytochrome bc1 complex of mitochondria and photosynthetic purple bacteria; cytochrome f (cyt f) plays a role analogous to that of cytochrome c1, in spite of their different structures
[3]
.

The 3D structure of Brassica rapa (Turnip) cyt f has been determined
[1]
. The lumen-side segment of cyt f includes two structural domains: a small one above a larger one that, in turn, is on top of the attachment to the membrane domain. The large domain consists of an anti-parallel β-sandwich and a short haem-binding peptide, which form a three-layer structure. The small domain is inserted between β-strands F and G of the large domain and is an all-beta domain. The haem nestles between two short helices at the N terminus of cyt f. Within the second helix is the sequence motif for the c-type cytochromes, CxxCH (residues 21-25), which is covalently attached to the haem through thioether bonds to Cys-21 and Cys-24. His-25 is the fifth haem iron ligand. The sixth haem iron ligand is the alpha-amino group of Tyr-1 in the first helix
[1]
. Cyt f has an internal network of water molecules that may function as a proton wire
[1]
. The water chain appears to be a conserved feature of cyt f.

This entry represents the large domain of cytochrome f.

References

1.The heme redox center of chloroplast cytochrome f is linked to a buried five-water chain. Martinez SE, Huang D, Ponomarev M, Cramer WA, Smith JL. Protein Sci. 5, 1081-92, (1996). View articlePMID: 8762139

2.Structural aspects of the cytochrome b6f complex; structure of the lumen-side domain of cytochrome f. Cramer WA, Martinez SE, Huang D, Tae GS, Everly RM, Heymann JB, Cheng RH, Baker TS, Smith JL. J. Bioenerg. Biomembr. 26, 31-47, (1994). View articlePMID: 8027021

3.Cytochrome f revealed. Prince RC, George GN. Trends Biochem. Sci. 20, 217-8, (1995). View articlePMID: 7631417

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