caa3-type cytochrome c oxidase

A respiratory complex IV with its own fused cytochrome c domain.

The route electrons take: from the haem in the fused cytochrome c domain (plum, top), through the copper pair CuA, to haem a (rose), then haem a3 and copper B (deep orange), where oxygen becomes water. Part of the pale protein is cut away so the path shows.

This structure sheds light on how electrons pass from cytochrome c to complex IV, one of the key energy-conversion steps in cellular life.

PDB entry: 2YEV at PDBe (also at RCSB PDB)
Released: 2012-05-23
Resolution: 2.36 Å
Paper: Structural Insights Into Electron Transfer in Caa3-Type Cytochrome Oxidases. (Nature, 2012)
More: Technical details, links and electron density

Pictures and video rendered with UCSF ChimeraX; the 3D view is PDBe Mol*.