Investigating molecular interactions between oxidized neuroglobin and cytochrome c

Sci Rep. 2018 Jul 12;8(1):10557. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-28836-6.

Abstract

The formation of a complex between neuroglobin (Ngb) and cytochrome c (Cyt c) has an important biological role in preventing apoptosis. Binding of Ngb to Cyt c alone is sufficient to block the caspase 9 activation by ferric Cyt c that is released during ischemic insults. Therefore, a detailed information on the Ngb-Cyt c interactions is important for understanding apoptosis. However, the exact nature of the interactions between oxidized human neuroglobin (hNgb) and Cyt c is not well understood. In this work, we used a combination of computational modeling and surface plasmon resonance experiments to obtain and characterize the complex formation between oxidized hNgb and Cyt c. We identified important residues involved in the complex formation, including K72 in Cyt c, which is otherwise known to interact with the apoptotic protease-activation factor-1. Our computational results, together with an optimized structure of the hNgb-Cyt c complex, provide unique insights into how the hNgb-Cyt c complex can abate the apoptotic cascade without an hNgb-Cyt c redox reaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Cytochromes c / chemistry
  • Cytochromes c / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lysine / metabolism
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Neuroglobin / chemistry
  • Neuroglobin / metabolism*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Protein Binding / physiology
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Surface Plasmon Resonance

Substances

  • NGB protein, human
  • Neuroglobin
  • Cytochromes c
  • Lysine