Q‑Site Occupancy Defines Heme Heterogeneity in Escherichia coli Nitrate Reductase A (NarGHI)

The membrane subunit (NarI) of Escherichia coli nitrate reductase A (NarGHI) contains two b-type hemes, both of which are the highly anisotropic low-spin type. Heme b D is distal to NarGH and constitutes part of the quinone binding and oxidation site (Q-site) through the axially coordinating histidine-66 residue and one of the heme b D propionate groups. Bound quinone participates in hydrogen bonds with both the imidazole of His66 and the heme propionate, rendering the EPR spectrum of the heme b D sensitive to Q-site occupancy. As such, we hypothesize that the heterogeneity in the heme b D EPR signal arises from the differential occupancy of the Q-site. In agreement with this, the heterogeneity is dependent upon growth conditions but is still apparent when NarGHI is expressed in a strain lacking cardiolipin. Furthermore, this heterogeneity is sensitive to Q-site variants, NarI-G65A and NarI-K86A, and is collapsible by the binding of inhibitors. We found that the two main g z components of heme b D exhibit differences in reduction potential and pH dependence, which we posit is due to differential Q-site occupancy. Specifically, in a quinone-bound state, heme b D exhibits an E m,8 of −35 mV and a pH dependence of −40 mV pH–1. In the quinone-free state, however, heme b D titrates with an E m,8 of +25 mV and a pH dependence of −59 mV pH–1. We hypothesize that quinone binding modulates the electrochemical properties of heme b D as well as its EPR properties.