Single Amino Acid Residues Control Potential‐Dependent Inactivation of an Inner Membrane bc‐Cytochrome**

Abstract

During extracellular electron transfer, Geobacter sulfurreducens constitutively expresses the bc‐cytochrome CbcL, yet cells containing only this menaquinone oxidase fail to respire above −0.1 V vs. SHE. By identifying mutations within cbcL that permit growth at higher potentials, we provide evidence that this cytochrome is regulated by redox potential. Strains expressing only CbcLV205A, CbcLV205G, and CbcLF525Y were capable of growth with high potential electron acceptors including Fe(III) citrate, Mn(IV) oxides, and electrodes poised at +0.1 V vs. SHE. Electrochemical characterization of wild type CbcL revealed oxidative inactivation of electron transfer above −0.1 V, while CbcLV205A, CbcLV205G, and CbcLF525Y remained active. Growth yields of CbcLV205A, CbcLV205G, and CbcLF525Y were only 50 % of WT, consistent with CbcL‐dependent electron transfer conserving less energy. These data support the hypothesis that CbcL has evolved to rapidly shut off in response to redox potential, in order to divert electrons to higher yield oxidases that coexist in the Geobacter membrane.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Dec 27, 2022
Source ID
10.1002/celc.202200907

Entities

People

  • Caleb E. Levar
  • Chi Ho Chan
  • Daniel R. Bond
  • Komal Joshi

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • University of Minnesota

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Microbial Pathology
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics