Cytochrome c (cyt c) is a small soluble heme protein characterized by a relatively flexible structure, particularly in the ferric form, such that it is able to sample a broad conformational space. Depending on the specific conditions, interactions, and cellular localization, different conformations may be stabilized, which differ in structure, redox properties, binding affinities, and enzymatic activity. The primary function is electron shuttling in oxidative phosphorylation, and is exerted by the so-called native cyt c in the intermembrane mitochondrial space of healthy cells. Under pro-apoptotic conditions, however, cyt c gains cardiolipin peroxidase activity, translocates into the cytosol to engage in the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, and enters the nucleus where it impedes nucleosome assembly. Other reported functions include cytosolic redox sensing and involvement in the mitochondrial oxidative folding machinery. Moreover, post-translational modifications such as nitration, phosphorylation, and sulfoxidation of specific amino acids induce alternative conformations with differential properties, at least in vitro. Similar structural and functional alterations are elicited by biologically significant electric fields and by naturally occurring mutations of human cyt c that, along with mutations at the level of the maturation system, are associated with specific diseases. Here, we summarize current knowledge and recent advances in understanding the different structural, dynamic, and thermodynamic factors that regulate the primary electron transfer function, as well as alternative functions and conformations of cyt c. Finally, we present recent technological applications of this moonlighting protein.

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We have employed a combination of protein film voltammetry, time-resolved vibrational spectroelectrochemistry and molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate the electron-transfer reorganization free energy (λ) of cytochrome c (Cyt) in electrostatic complexes that mimic some basic features of protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions. The results reveal the existence of two native-like conformations of Cyt that present significantly different λ values. Conversion from the high to the low λ forms is triggered by electrostatic interactions, and involves the rupture of a weak H-bond between first- (M80) and second-sphere (Y67) ligands of the heme iron, as a distinctive feature of the conformational switch. The two flexible Ω loops operate as transducers of the electrostatic signal. This fine-tuning effect is abolished in the Y67F Cyt mutant, which presents a λ value similar to the WT protein in electrostatic complexes. We propose that interactions of Cyt with the natural redox partner proteins activate a similar mechanism to minimize the reorganization energy of interprotein electron transfer.

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Here we report a spectroscopic, electrochemical and computational study of cytochrome c showing that nitration of Tyr74 induces Tyr deprotonation, which is coupled to Met/Lys axial ligand exchange, and results in concomitant gain of peroxidatic activity at physiological pH.

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