Laboratories & Administration Office

Laboratory of Visiting Scientists

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Director Koichiro ISHIMORI (Visiting Professor)
助教 Jonathan G. HEDDLE(Visiting Fellow)

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研究概要

[ Koichiro ISHIMORI ]

The respiratory chain in mitochondria is essential for the aerobic energy generation. The terminal oxidase, a key component of the respiratory chain, accepts electrons from cytochrome c (Cyt c) to catalyze dioxygen reduction coupled with a proton pump process. The electron transfer reaction from Cyt c to the terminal oxidase is quite specific and efficient to promote the dioxygen reduction. We have focused on the interactions in the formation of the electron transfer complex between Cyt c and a typical terminal oxidase, Cytochrome c oxidase (CcO), to elucidate the molecular mechanism of electron transfer for the dioxygen reduction in the respiratory chain. Our multi-nuclear multi-dimensional NMR spectroscopy has successfully identified the interaction site for CcO on Cyt c and calorimetric study has revealed the contribution of hydrophobic interactions to the complex formation. To get further insights into the electron transfer mechanism and discuss the molecular mechanisms for the aerobic energy generation, we will characterize the interface structure of the electron transfer complex and thermodynamics of the electron transfer in the respiratory chain.

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