Studies on Cytochrome c1

Abstract

The pH optima for the oxidation of ferrocytochrome c were found to be 5.0 in citrate-phosphate buffer, and 4.5 in acetate buffer. The oxidation of ferrocytochrome c₁ has its pH optimum at 6.85 in phosphate buffer. This suggests the existence of the independent oxidation mechanisms for each of these cytochromes. Cytochrome a combines with an equimolar amount of cytochrome c to form the cytochrome oxidase complex which catalyzes the oxidation of cytochrome c. The latter reaction follows an apparent first order kinetics except for a limited time and this mechanism was discussed. A paper chromatographic examination of the complex was carried out.