Analytical characterization of cytochrome oxidase preparations with regard to metal and phospholipid contents, peptide composition and catalytic activity.

A number of preparations of cytochrome oxidase have been analyzed for metals by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The EPR characteristics, the peptide compositions, the protein and phospholipid contents as well as the catalytic constants of the samples have also been determined. It is confirmed that the enzyme functional unit contains three copper atoms and one zinc atom in addition to two iron atoms. On the basis of the parameters determined for the different samples it is suggested that a high catalytic activity of a preparation can be correlated to a number of other analytical characteristics.