REVIEW: Features of Organization and Mechanism of Catalysis of Two Families of Terminal Oxidases: Heme-Copper and bd-Type

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V. B. Borisov^1,a* and S. A. Siletsky^1,b

¹Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received June 3, 2019; Revised July 9, 2019; Accepted July 10, 2019

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Terminal oxidases of aerobic respiratory chains catalyze the transfer of electrons from the respiratory substrate, cytochrome c or quinol, to O₂ with the formation of two H₂O molecules. There are two known families of these membrane oxidoreductases: heme-copper oxidase superfamily and bd-type oxidase family (cytochromes bd) found in prokaryotes only. The redox reaction catalyzed by these enzymes is coupled to the generation of proton motive force used by the cell to synthesize ATP and to perform other useful work. Due to the presence of the proton pump, heme-copper oxidases create the membrane potential with a greater energy efficiency than cytochromes bd. The latter, however, play an important physiological role that enables bacteria, including pathogenic ones, to survive and reproduce under adverse environmental conditions. This review discusses the features of organization and molecular mechanisms of functioning of terminal oxidases from these two families in the light of recent experimental data.

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KEY WORDS: respiratory chain, terminal oxidase, cytochrome oxidase, cytochrome bd, heme, catalytic cycle, oxygen intermediates, membrane potential, proton pump

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297919110130

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