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Spectrochemical studies on the blue copper protein azurin from Alcaligenes denitrificans

Journal Article · · Biochemistry; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/bi00375a011· OSTI ID:6619982

Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies, incorporating electronic spectra, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra, resonance Raman (RR) spectra, and measurements of the redox potential, have been carried out on the blue copper protein azurin, from Alcaligenes denitrificans. These data are correlated with the refined crystal structure of this azurin and with corresponding data for other blue copper proteins. The electronic spectrum the EPR spectral parameters and the resonance Raman spectrum are similar to those obtained from other azurins and from plastocyanins. Both the electronic spectrum and the EPR spectrum are unchanged over the pH range 4-10.5, but major changes occur above pH 12 and below pH 3.5. In the RR spectrum the Cu-S stretching mode is shown to contribute to all of the five principal RR peaks. Deuterium substitution produces shifts in at least seven of the peaks. Measurements of the redox potential, using spectroelectrochemical methods, over the temperature range 4.8-40.0 /sup 0/C, give values for ..delta..H/sup 0/' and ..delta..S/sup 0/' of -55.6 kJ mol/sup -1/ and -97.0 J K/sup -1/ mol/sup -1/, respectively. The redox potential of A. denitrificans azurin at pH 7.0, E/sup 0/, is 276 mV. These data are interpreted in terms of a copper site, in azurin, comprising three strong bonds, in an approximately trigonal plane, from Cys-112, His-46, and His-117 and much longer axial approaches from Met-121 and the peptide carbonyl oxygen of Gly-45. Spectral differences within the azurin family and between azurin and plastocyanin are attributed to differences in the strengths of these axial interactions. On the other hand, the relative constancy of the EPR parameters between azurin and plastocyanin suggests they are not strongly influenced by weakly interacting axial groups.

Research Organization:
Massey Univ., Palmerston North, NZ
OSTI ID:
6619982
Journal Information:
Biochemistry; (United States), Journal Name: Biochemistry; (United States) Vol. 26:1; ISSN BICHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English