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Characterization of Shewanella oneidensis MtrC: a cell-surface decaheme cytochrome involved in respiratory electron transport to extracellular electron acceptors

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Abstract

MtrC is a decaheme c-type cytochrome associated with the outer cell membrane of Fe(III)-respiring species of the Shewanella genus. It is proposed to play a role in anaerobic respiration by mediating electron transfer to extracellular mineral oxides that can serve as terminal electron acceptors. The present work presents the first spectropotentiometric and voltammetric characterization of MtrC, using protein purified from Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. Potentiometric titrations, monitored by UV–vis absorption and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, reveal that the hemes within MtrC titrate over a broad potential range spanning between approximately +100 and approximately −500 mV (vs. the standard hydrogen electrode). Across this potential window the UV–vis absorption spectra are characteristic of low-spin c-type hemes and the EPR spectra reveal broad, complex features that suggest the presence of magnetically spin-coupled low-spin c-hemes. Non-catalytic protein film voltammetry of MtrC demonstrates reversible electrochemistry over a potential window similar to that disclosed spectroscopically. The voltammetry also allows definition of kinetic properties of MtrC in direct electron exchange with a solid electrode surface and during reduction of a model Fe(III) substrate. Taken together, the data provide quantitative information on the potential domain in which MtrC can operate.

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Abbreviations

CAPS:

3-(Cyclohexyl)-1-aminopropanesulfonic acid

CHAPS:

3-[(3-Cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]propanesulfonic acid

CHES:

N-Cyclohexyl-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid

EPR:

Electron paramagnetic resonance

HEPES:

N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N′-ethanesulfonic acid

MES:

2-Morpholinoethanesulfonic acid

MQH2 :

Menaquinol

PAGE:

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

PFV:

Protein film voltammetry

SDS:

Sodium dodecyl sulfate

SHE:

Standard hydrogen electrode

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Schlumberger, the US Department of Energy Biogeochemistry Grand Challenge, the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council grants B18695 and BBSSA200410938 and a JIF award (062178). The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is operated for the Department of Energy by the Battelle Memorial Institute, contract DE-AC05–76RLO1830. We thank Ann Reilly for invaluable technical support and Andy Gates and Clive Butler for valuable help and discussion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Metalloprotein Spectroscopy and Biology, School of Biological Sciences and School of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK

    Robert S. Hartshorne, Brian N. Jepson, Tom A. Clarke, Sarah J. Field, Julea N. Butt & David J. Richardson

  2. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA, 99352, USA

    Jim Fredrickson, John Zachara & Liang Shi

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  1. Robert S. Hartshorne
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  2. Brian N. Jepson
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  3. Tom A. Clarke
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  4. Sarah J. Field
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  5. Jim Fredrickson
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  7. Liang Shi
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  8. Julea N. Butt
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  9. David J. Richardson
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Correspondence to Julea N. Butt or David J. Richardson.

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Hartshorne, R.S., Jepson, B.N., Clarke, T.A. et al. Characterization of Shewanella oneidensis MtrC: a cell-surface decaheme cytochrome involved in respiratory electron transport to extracellular electron acceptors. J Biol Inorg Chem 12, 1083–1094 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00775-007-0278-y

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