Bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase is a large multi-component membrane protein containing several phospholipids. X-ray structures of this enzyme at high resolution, determined recently, show a trigonal planar structure of CuB site in the O2 reduction site, which could contribute critically to the four-electron reduction of O2 bound at haem a3, and a hydrogen bond network, through which the proton pump is driven by haem a. The possible roles of phospholipids in the enzyme functions are discussed.

Keywords:
bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase, haem a3, O2 reduction site, phospholipid, proton pumping, X-ray structure
© 2005 The Biochemical Society
2005
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