COX7B is located on the q arm of the X chromosome in position 21.1 and has 3 exons.[2] The COX7B gene produces a 9.2 kDa protein composed of 80 amino acids.[4][5] COX7B is one of the nuclear-encoded polypeptide chains of cytochrome c oxidase (COX), a heteromeric complex consisting of 3 catalytic subunits encoded by mitochondrial genes and multiple structural subunits encoded by nuclear genes. The protein encoded by COX7B belongs to the cytochrome c oxidase VIIb family. COX7B has a 24 amino acid transit peptide domain from positions 1-24, an 8 amino acid topological mitochondrial matrix domain from positions 25-32, a helical, 27 amino acid transmembrane domain from positions 33-59, and a 21 amino acid topological intermembrane domain from positions 60-80.[6][7][8][3]COX7B may also have several pseudogenes on chromosomes 1, 2, 20 and 22.[2]
Function
Cytochrome c oxidase (COX), the terminal enzyme of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, catalyzes the electron transfer from reduced cytochrome c to oxygen. The mitochondrially-encoded subunits of COX function in electron transfer, while the nuclear-encoded subunits may be involved in the regulation and assembly of the complex. The COX7B nuclear gene encodes subunit 7B, which is located on the inner mitochondrial membrane in association with several other proteins encompassing the COX complex. It is found in all tissues and has been shown to be highly similar to bovine COX VIIb protein.[2] COX7B is believed to be important for COX assembly and activity, the function of mitochondrial respiratory chain, and the proper development of the central nervous system in vertebrates.[3][6][7]
Model organisms
Oryzias latices (also known as medaka) is a Japanese rice fish that has been used as a model organism in COX7B studies. By using a morpholino knockdown technique, COX7B has been shown to be indispensable for COX assembly, COX activity, and mitochondrial respiration. Additionally, the down-regulation of an ortholog of COX7B has suggested that there may be an association between COX7B disfunction and microphthalmia with linear skin lesions (MLS), microcephaly, and mitochondrial disease. Work with Oryzias latices could also indicate an evolutionary conserved role for the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes in central nervous system development.[3]
↑Sadlock JE, Lightowlers RN, Capaldi RA, Schon EA (February 1993). "Isolation of a cDNA specifying subunit VIIb of human cytochrome c oxidase". Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. 1172 (1–2): 223–5. doi:10.1016/0167-4781(93)90301-s. PMID8382530.
↑Van Kuilenburg AB, Van Beeumen JJ, Van der Meer NM, Muijsers AO (January 1992). "Subunits VIIa,b,c of human cytochrome c oxidase. Identification of both 'heart-type' and 'liver-type' isoforms of subunit VIIa in human heart". European Journal of Biochemistry. 203 (1–2): 193–9. PMID1309697.
Lenka N, Vijayasarathy C, Mullick J, Avadhani NG (1998). Structural organization and transcription regulation of nuclear genes encoding the mammalian cytochrome c oxidase complex. Progress in Nucleic Acid Research and Molecular Biology. 61. pp. 309–44. doi:10.1016/S0079-6603(08)60830-2. ISBN978-0-12-540061-9. PMID9752724.
Stroh A, Kadenbach B (April 1986). "Tissue-specific and species-specific distribution of -SH groups in cytochrome c oxidase subunits". European Journal of Biochemistry. 156 (1): 199–204. doi:10.1111/j.1432-1033.1986.tb09568.x. PMID3007143.
Possekel S, Marsac C, Kadenbach B (August 1996). "Biochemical analysis of fibroblasts from patients with cytochrome c oxidase-associated Leigh syndrome". Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. 1316 (3): 153–9. doi:10.1016/0925-4439(96)00005-1. PMID8781533.
Nijtmans LG, Taanman JW, Muijsers AO, Speijer D, Van den Bogert C (June 1998). "Assembly of cytochrome-c oxidase in cultured human cells". European Journal of Biochemistry. 254 (2): 389–94. doi:10.1046/j.1432-1327.1998.2540389.x. PMID9660196.