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Cellular respiration is associated with at least six distinct but intertwined biological functions. (1) biosynthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate, (2) consumption of respiratory substrates, (3) support of membrane transport, (4) conversion of respiratory energy to heat, (5) removal of oxygen to prevent oxidative damage, and (6) generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as signaling molecules. Here we focus on function #6, which helps the organism control its mitochondria. The ROS bursts typically occur when the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) becomes too high, e.g., due to mitochondrial malfunction, leading to cardiolipin (CL) oxidation. Depending on the intensity of CL damage, specific programs for the elimination of damaged mitochondria (mitophagy), whole cells (apoptosis), or organisms (phenoptosis) can be activated. In particular, we consider those mechanisms that suppress ROS generation by enabling ATP synthesis at low MMP levels. We discuss evidence that the mild depolarization mechanism of direct ATP/ADP exchange across mammalian inner and outer mitochondrial membranes weakens with age. We review recent data showing that by protecting CL from oxidation, mitochondria-targeted antioxidants decrease lethality in response to many potentially deadly shock insults. Thus, targeting ROS- and CL-dependent pathways may prevent acute mortality and, hopefully, slow aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

F1·Fo-ATP synthases/ATPases (F1·Fo) are molecular machines that couple either ATP synthesis from ADP and phosphate or ATP hydrolysis to the consumption or production of a transmembrane electrochemical gradient of protons. Currently, in view of the spread of drug-resistant disease-causing strains, there is an increasing interest in F1·Fo as new targets for antimicrobial drugs, in particular, anti-tuberculosis drugs, and inhibitors of these membrane proteins are being considered in this capacity. However, the specific drug search is hampered by the complex mechanism of regulation of F1·Fo in bacteria, in particular, in mycobacteria: the enzyme efficiently synthesizes ATP, but is not capable of ATP hydrolysis. In this review, we consider the current state of the problem of "unidirectional" F1·Fo catalysis found in a wide range of bacterial F1·Fo and enzymes from other organisms, the understanding of which will be useful for developing a strategy for the search for new drugs that selectively disrupt the energy production of bacterial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research demonstrates that oxidation of reduced cytochrome bd is accompanied by the production of membrane potential and an electrogenic phase. Results indicate that no 'peroxy' heme-copper oxidase species are obtained following cytochrome bd oxidation with hydrogen peroxide.

The glutamic acid residue of transmembrane helix III in subunit I (E107L) mutant cytochrome bd from Escherichia coli is studied by using electrometry and absorption spectroscopy with a microsecond time resolution to elucidate the role of E107 in translocation of protons within the protein molecule. The studies have shown that E107 is either the second group or a key residue of a proton delivery pathway leading from the cytoplasm toward the second group.

The various strong excitonic interactions in the oxygen-reducing sites of bd-type oxidase are studied. The Fe-to-Fe distance between hemes d and [b.sub.595] is shown to be 10 [Angstrom].

The basic thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for the reaction of cytochrome bd from Azotobacter vinelandii with oxygen was measured and compared with those of the Escherichia coli enzyme. The results suggest that in cytochrome bd, the redox state of the b-type hemes (heme [b.595]), controls the pathway for ligand transfer between heme d and the bulk phase.

Cytochrome bd is a unique prokaryotic respiratory terminal oxidase that does not belong to the extensively investigated family of haem-copper oxidases (HCOs). The enzyme catalyses the four-electron reduction of O2 to 2H2O, using quinols as physiological reducing substrates. The reaction is electrogenic and cytochrome bd therefore sustains bacterial energy metabolism by contributing to maintain the transmembrane proton motive force required for ATP synthesis. As compared to HCOs, cytochrome bd displays several distinctive features in terms of (i) metal composition (it lacks Cu and harbours a d-type haem in addition to two haems b), (ii) overall three-dimensional structure, that only recently has been solved, and arrangement of the redox cofactors, (iii) lesser energetic efficiency (it is not a proton pump), (iv) higher O2 affinity, (v) higher resistance to inhibitors such as cyanide, nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and (vi) ability to efficiently metabolize potentially toxic reactive oxygen and nitrogen species like hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-). Compelling evidence suggests that, beyond its bioenergetic role, cytochrome bd plays multiple functions in bacterial physiology and affords protection against oxidative and nitrosative stress. Relevant to human pathophysiology, thanks to its peculiar properties, the enzyme has been shown to promote virulence in several bacterial pathogens, being currently recognized as a target for the development of new antibiotics. This review aims to give an update on our current understanding of bd-type oxidases with a focus on their reactivity with gaseous ligands and its potential impact on bacterial physiology and human pathophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]