NMR Studies on Ferrocytochrome $C_3$ and its Interaction with Ferredoxin I

The 1H NMR signals of the heme methyl, propionate and related chemical groups of cytochrome C3 from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F (D.v. MF) were assigned by means of 1D NOE, 2D DQFCOSY and 2D TOCSY spectra. They were consistent with the assignments of the hemes with the highest and second-lowest redox potentials reported by Gayda et al. [Reference: 15]. The heme assignments were also supported by NOE between the methyl groups of these hemes and the side chain of Val-18, All the results contradicted the heme assignments for D.v. MF cytochrome C3 made on the basis of NMR [Reference: 11]. Based on these assignments, the interaction of cytochrome C3 with ferredoxin I was investigated by NMR. The major interaction site of cytochrome C3 was identified as the heme with the highest redox potential, which is surrounded by the highest density of positive charges. The stoichiometry and association constant were two cytochrome C3 molecules per monomer of ferredoxin I and 108 M-2 (at 53 mM ionic strength and $25^{\circ}C$), respectively.