UniProt Number: | P04037 |
Alternate Names: | Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4, Cytochrome c oxidase polypeptide IV, COX4, YGL187C, G1362 |
Structure and Function: |
In yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, cytochrome c oxidase (COX) is composed of 11 subunits, three of which are encoded in the mitochondrial genome (Cox1p, Cox2p and Cox3p). These three large subunits are transmembrane proteins that form the catalytic core of the enzyme. The remaining subunits (Cox4p-Cox9p) are nuclear encoded and transported into the mitochondria after translation. Although the specific functions of the subunits are not completely understood, they are known to be involved in the assembly of the enzyme. Studies with yeast strains carrying null mutations in these subunits have shown complete loss of COX activity, suggesting that the subunits play a crucial role in assembly and stability of the enzyme. The COX assembly process is conserved between human and yeast. |