Generation of Proton‐Motive Force by an archaeal terminal quinol oxidase from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

Michael Gleissner, Marieke G.L. Elferink, Arnold J.M. Driessen, Wil N. Konings, Stefan Anemüller, Günter Schäfer*

*Corresponding author for this work
24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The terminal quinol oxidase of the cytochrome aa3 type was isolated from the extreme thermo‐acidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. In micellar solution, the enzyme oxidized various quinols and exerted the highest activity with the physiological substrate caldariella quinol. The enzyme was functionally reconstituted into monolayer liposomes composed of archaeal tetraether lipids also derived from S. acidocaldarius. With the electron donor system ascorbate and N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine, the reconstituted enzyme was more active in the archaeal lipids as compared to lipids derived from Escherichia coli at temperatures above 50°C. Due to the low proton permeability of the tetraether lipids, it was possible to generate a steady‐state transmembrane electrical potential (ΔΨ, interior negative), and transmembrane pH gradient (ΔpH, interior alkaline) at temperatures up to 70°C. The successful functional reconstitution of the cytochrome aa3‐type quinol oxidase from Sulfolobus identifies it as the key energy converter in the respiratory system of this hyperthermophilic archaeon.

Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Journal of Biochemistry
Volume224
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)983-990
Number of pages8
ISSN0014-2956
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 09.1994

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Infection and Inflammation Research (ZIEL)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Generation of Proton‐Motive Force by an archaeal terminal quinol oxidase from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this