Cytochrome C

Cytochromes c (cytC) are electron-transfer proteins having one or several heme c groups, bound to the protein by one or, more generally, two thioether bonds involving sulphydryl groups of cysteine residues. The fifth haem iron ligand is always provided by a histidine residue. Cytochromes c possess a wide range of properties and function in a large number of different redox processes. The founding member of this family is mitochondrial cytochrome c.

Cytochrome c is a small, highly conserved heme-containing protein that plays two distinct yet critical roles in eukaryotic cells: a life-sustaining function in cellular respiration and a death-inducing function in apoptosis. It is primarily located in the mitochondrial intermembrane space.

ppcA, or Cytochrome C, refers to a specific cytochrome c protein, which is a heme-containing electron carrier. Cytochromes c typically function in electron transport chains, transferring electrons between protein complexes. PpcA may be involved in specific respiratory or metabolic pathways where it facilitates electron flow, contributing to cellular energy production.