(Redirected from
Cytochrome c)
(horse heart:
PDB 1HRC) is a small
heme protein found loosely associated with the inner membrane of the
mitochondrion. It is a soluble protein, unlike other
cytochromes and is an essential component of the
electron transfer chain. It is capable of undergoing
oxidation and
reduction, and does not bind
oxygen. It transfers electrons between
Complexes III and
IV.
Cytochrome c is a highly conserved protein across the spectrum of species, found in plants, animals, and many unicellular organisms. This, along with its small size (molecular weight about 12,000 daltons), makes it useful in studies of evolutionary divergence.