The enzyme complexes of the respiratory chain are organized in supramolecular assemblies, so-called respiratory supercomplexes. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, these supercomplexes consist of two copies of complex III (bc₁ complex) and one or two copies of complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase, CytcO). Several factors, including lipids and small proteins, have been identified to facilitate or stabilize this organization.

Respiratory supercomplex factor (Rcf) 1 interacts with CytcO. In this work, we show that in the native S. cerevisiae mitochondrial membrane several forms of CytcO co-exist. Intact CytcO shows spectral and functional properties similar to those of CytcOs from other organisms characterized earlier. A second population displayed a lower midpoint potential of heme a₃ as well as accelerated ligand binding, suggesting structural differences around the catalytic site. Severe structural changes of the catalytic site and the overall structure of the enzyme were found in a third population of CytcO. The fraction of the structurally altered CytcO increased upon removal of Rcf1. Here, a mechanism is proposed in which Rcf1 regulates function of the CytcO by altering the catalytic site so that electron transfer between heme a and heme a₃ is slowed, resulting in a more exergonic O₂-ligand binding. This scenario would in turn increase heat production on the expense of the proton electrochemical gradient.

Rcf1 was further shown to facilitate electron transfer from the bc₁ complex to CytcO in a supercomplex by interacting with the electron carrier cytochrome c (cyt. c).

In addition, we purified and structurally and functionally characterized the supercomplex of Mycobacterium smegmatis, which contains a membrane-anchored cyt. c as a subunit of the bcc₁ complex.

Mitochondria fulfill a plethora of functions, including harboring metabolic pathways and converting energy stored in metabolites into ATP, the common energy source of the cell. This last function is performed by the oxidative phosphorylation system, consisting of the respiratory chain and the ATP synthase. Electrons are channeled through the complexes of the respiratory chain, while protons are translocated across the inner mitochondrial membrane. This process establishes an electrochemical gradient, which is used by the ATP synthase to generate ATP. The subunits of two of the respiratory chain complexes, the bc₁ complex and the cytochrome c oxidase, are encoded by two genetic origins, the nuclear and the mitochondrial genome. Therefore, the assembly of these complexes needs to be coordinated and highly regulated.

Several proteins are involved in the biogenesis of the bc₁ complex. Amongst these proteins, the Cbp3-Cbp6 complex was shown to regulate translation and assembly of the bc₁ complex subunit cytochrome b. In this work, we established a homology model of yeast Cbp3. Using a site-specific crosslink approach, we identified binding sites of Cbp3 to its obligate binding partner Cbp6 and its client, cytochrome b, enabling a deeper insight in the molecular mechanisms of bc₁ complex biogenesis. 

The bc₁ complex and the cytochrome c oxidase form macromolecular structures, called supercomplexes. The detailed assembly mechanisms and functions of these structures remain to be solved. Two proteins, Rcf1 and Rcf2, were identified associating with supercomplexes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our studies demonstrate that, while Rcf1 has a minor effect on supercomplex assembly, its main function is to modulate cytochrome c oxidase activity. We show that cytochrome c oxidase is present in three structurally different populations. Rcf1 is needed to maintain the dominant population in a functionally active state. In absence of Rcf1, the abundance of a population with an altered active site is increased. We propose that Rcf1 is needed, especially under a high work load of the respiratory chain, to maintain the function of cytochrome c oxidase.

This thesis aims to unravel molecular mechanisms of proteins involved in biogenesis and functionality of respiratory chain complexes to enable a deeper understanding. Dysfunctional respiratory chain complexes lead to severe disease, emphasizing the importance of this work.