The Elusive Third Subunit IIa of the Bacterial B-Type Oxidases: The Enzyme from the Hyperthermophile Aquifex aeolicus
2011

The Third Subunit of B-Type Oxidases in Aquifex aeolicus

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Prunetti Laurence, Brugna Myriam, Lebrun Régine, Giudici-Orticoni Marie-Thérèse, Guiral Marianne

Primary Institution: Laboratoire de Bioénergétique et Ingénierie des Protéines, UPR 9036, Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Marseille, France

Hypothesis

Is there a third subunit in the B-type cytochrome c oxidase from Aquifex aeolicus?

Conclusion

The study confirms the presence of a third subunit, IIa, in the B-type cytochrome c oxidase from Aquifex aeolicus.

Supporting Evidence

  • The presence of subunit IIa was confirmed through genomic analysis.
  • N-terminal sequencing corroborated the existence of subunit IIa.
  • Mass spectrometry identified the molecular mass of subunit IIa.

Takeaway

Scientists found a new tiny part of a protein that helps bacteria breathe, which is important for understanding how these bacteria work.

Methodology

The study involved genomic sequence analysis, N-terminal sequencing, peptide mass fingerprinting, and mass spectrometry.

Limitations

The small size and hydrophobic nature of subunit IIa made it difficult to detect in some analyses.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0021616

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