Experimental and theoretical analysis of the interaction between cytochrome c and cytochrome b5

Abstract

Experimental and theoretical investigation of the interaction of cytochrome c and cytochrome b5 performed over nearly twenty years has produced considerable insight into the manner in which these proteins recognize and bind to each other. The results of these studies and the experimental and theoretical strategies that have been developed to achieve these results have significant implications for understanding the behavior of similar complexes formed by more complex and less-well characterized electron transfer proteins. The current review provides a comprehensive summary and critical evaluation of the literature on which the current status of our understanding of the interaction of cytochrome c and cytochrome b5 is based. The general issues related to the study of electron transfer complexes of this type are discussed and some new directions for future investigation of such systems are considered.