<TEX>$^1H$</TEX> NMR Estimation of Multi-Redox potentials of Cytochrome <TEX>$c_3$</TEX> from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough

The macroscopic and microscopic redox potentials of tetrahemoprotein, cytochrome c3 from Desulfovibrio vulgaris(Hildenborough) (DvH) were estimated from 1H NMR and differential pulse polarography(DPP). Five sets of NMR resonances were confirmed by a redox titration. They represent cytochrome c3 molecules in five macroscopic redox states. The electron transfer in cytochrome c3 involves four consecutive one-electron steps. The saturation transfer method was used to determine the chemical shifts of eight heme methyl resonances in five different oxidation states. Thirty two microscopic redox potentials were estimated. The results showed the presence of a strong positive interaction between a pair of particular hemes. Comparing the results with those of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F (DvMF), it was observed that the two proteins resemble each other in overall redox pattern, but there is small difference in the relative redox potentials of four hemes.