Electron transport via cytochrome c on Si-H surfaces: roles of Fe and heme

J Am Chem Soc. 2013 Apr 24;135(16):6300-6. doi: 10.1021/ja4015474. Epub 2013 Apr 11.

Abstract

Monolayers of the redox protein Cytochrome C (CytC) can be electrostatically formed on an H-terminated Si substrate, if the protein- and Si-surface are prepared so as to carry opposite charges. With such monolayers we study electron transport (ETp) via CytC, using a solid-state approach with macroscopic electrodes. We have revealed that currents via holo-CytC are almost 3 orders of magnitude higher than via the heme-depleted protein (→ apo-CytC). This large difference in currents is attributed to loss of the proteins' secondary structure upon heme removal. While removal of only the Fe ion (→ porphyrin-CytC) does not significantly change the currents via this protein at room temperature, the 30-335 K temperature dependence suggests opening of a new ETp pathway, which dominates at high temperatures (>285 K). These results suggest that the cofactor plays a major role in determining the ETp pathway(s) within CytC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoproteins / chemistry
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Cytochromes c / chemistry*
  • Electron Transport*
  • Heme / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen
  • Iron / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Porphyrins / chemistry
  • Silicones / chemistry*
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Surface Properties
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Apoproteins
  • Porphyrins
  • Silicones
  • Heme
  • Hydrogen
  • Cytochromes c
  • Iron