Abstract

ROMERO-AGUILAR, Lucero et al. The alternative oxidase, a metalloprotein conserved in fungi. TIP [online]. 2022, vol.25, e475.  Epub June 23, 2023. ISSN 1405-888X.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fesz.23958723e.2022.475.

The alternative oxidase (AOX) is a monotopic metalloprotein attached to the inner surface of the inner mitochondrial membrane. This enzyme catalyzes the transfer of electrons from ubiquinol to oxygen, with the production of water. When the cytochrome pathway is inhibited by cyanide or other xenobiotic molecules, the AOX allows the flux of electrons from NADH to oxygen and thus, the catabolic and anabolic activity of the Krebs cycle. The AOX is found in plants, fungi, some protists and a few primitive metazoans. It has been proposed that this enzyme has important roles in the response against osmotic and oxidative stresses. In this review, we analyze the structure of the enzyme, address its participation in the responses of fungi to osmotic stress and analyze the influence of AOX on ATP synthesis.

Keywords : alternative oxidase; osmotic stress; fungus; Ustilago maydis; reactive oxygen species; basidiomycete.

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