Mitochondrial cytochrome c biogenesis: No longer an enigma

Shalon E. Babbitt, Molly C. Sutherland, Brian San Francisco, Deanna L. Mendez, Robert G. Kranz

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

90 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cytochromes c (cyt c) and c1 are heme proteins that are essential for aerobic respiration. Release of cyt c from mitochondria is an important signal in apoptosis initiation. Biogenesis of c-type cytochromes involves covalent attachment of heme to two cysteines (at a conserved CXXCH sequence) in the apocytochrome. Heme attachment is catalyzed in most mitochondria by holocytochrome c synthase (HCCS), which is also necessary for the import of apocytochrome c (apocyt c). Thus, HCCS affects cellular levels of cyt c, impacting mitochondrial physiology and cell death. Here, we review the mechanisms of HCCS function and the roles of heme and residues in the CXXCH motif. Additionally, we consider concepts emerging within the two prokaryotic cytochrome c biogenesis pathways.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)446-455
Number of pages10
JournalTrends in biochemical sciences
Volume40
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2015

Keywords

  • Cytochrome c
  • Heme attachment
  • Holocytochrome c synthase
  • Mitochondria

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