The iron-sulfur core in Rieske proteins is not symmetric

J Biol Inorg Chem. 2014 Dec;19(8):1287-93. doi: 10.1007/s00775-014-1185-7. Epub 2014 Aug 24.

Abstract

At variance with ferredoxins, Rieske-type proteins contain a chemically asymmetric iron-sulfur cluster. Nevertheless, X-ray crystallography apparently finds their [2Fe-2S] cores to be structurally symmetric or very close to symmetric (i.e. the four iron-sulfur bonds in the [2Fe-2S] core are equidistant). Using a combination of advanced density-based approaches, including finite-temperature molecular dynamics to access thermal fluctuations and free-energy profiles, in conjunction with correlated wavefunction-based methods we clearly predict an asymmetric core structure. This reveals a fundamental and intrinsic difference within the iron-sulfur clusters hosted by Rieske proteins and ferredoxins and thus opens up a new dimension for the ongoing efforts in understanding the role of Rieske-type [2Fe-2S] cluster in electron transfer processes that occur in almost all biological systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Electron Transport Complex III / chemistry*
  • Iron / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Sulfur / chemistry*

Substances

  • Rieske iron-sulfur protein
  • Sulfur
  • Iron
  • Electron Transport Complex III