Electron transfer between cytochrome c and copper enzymes

The electron transfer between cytochrome c and ascorbate oxidase or laccase from Coriolus hirsutus was investigated using both an electrochemical and a spectrophotometric method. A quasi-reversible cyclic volammogram of cytochrome c was observed on a gold electrode modified with 4,4'-dithiodipyridine. The addition of laccase resulted in the appearance of a catalytic current due to the regeneration of ferricytochrome c by laccase in the presence of oxygen. The second-order rate constant of the reaction between cytochrome c and laccase is calculated to be 9.2 x 10(3) M(-1) s(-1) in 50 mM phosphate buffer of pH 5.8. The reaction rate with ascorbate oxidase is almost three orders of magnitude slower. The difference in the redox potential is considered to be the driving force of the reaction between cytochrome c and the copper proteins investigated.