Diversity among parasitic wasps is even greater than suspected Aug 30, 2008
M. Alex Smith and Paul Hebert at the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario conducted the barcoding analysis, which compared the sequence of nucleotides that spell out the barcode region of the cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene in every specimen. Significant differences between the sequences indicated that the specimens belonged to different species if those differences correlated with other morphological and/or ecological traits. (EurekAlert!)
Neandertal Mitochondrial Genome Sequenced Aug 8, 2008
Of the 13 proteins encoded in the mitochondrial DNA, they found that one, known as subunit 2 of cytochrome c oxidase of the mitochondrial electron transport chain or COX2, had experienced a surprising number of amino acid substitutions in humans since the separation from Neandertals. While the finding is intriguing, Green said, it's not yet clear what it means. (Science Daily)
How Enzyme Works: A Molecular Switch Turns On The Flame In 'Nature's Blowtorch' Jun 3, 2008
16, 2007) Cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) is the ultimate enzyme responsible for all aerobic life on Earth. It's also a crucial component of the cellular machinery that generates energy in our body. (Science Daily)
Extreme primary and secondary protein structure variability in the chimeric male-transmitted cytochrome c oxidase subunit II protein in freshwater mussels: Evidence for an elevated amino acid substitution rate in the face of domain-specific purifying selection Jun 1, 2008
Other articles by authors. Related articles/pages. (BioMed Central)
Unique Adaptive Evolution Found In Snake Proteins Provide New Insight Into Vertebrate Physiology May 24, 2008
By integrating analyses of molecular evolution with protein structural data, the authors show that critical functions of mitochondrial proteins, such as the channeling of oxygen, electrons, and protons through cytochrome C oxidase, have been fundamentally altered during the evolution of snakes. Snakes have been previously proposed as an ideal metabolic, physiological, and ecological model system to study evolution, and the current results support that idea, showing that their utility as a model... (Science Daily)
* DNA barcoding project nears completion: COA May 10, 2008
The most common section of DNA used is cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1), a gene in the mitochondria, because CO1 variation is very small within species but disparate in different species, he said. Once a species CO1 sequence is filed into BOLD, the speedy and economical DNA barcode can analyze fish samples within 3 days for less than NT$1,000. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Study Puts 1 Alzheimer's Theory in Doubt Aug 21, 2007
In prior studies, examination of the brain cells of people with Alzheimer's found some defects in an enzyme produced by the cytochrome c oxidase (COX) gene, which is important for mitochondrial energy production. In addition, so-called "free radicals," which cause oxidative stress, are produced in the cell's mitochondria, Moraes noted. (Health-Finder)
Scientists show that mitochondrial DNA variants are linked to risk factors for type 2 diabetes Aug 11, 2007
One rat strain exhibited impaired glucose tolerance, reduced muscle glycogen synthesis, decreased skeletal muscle ATP (energy) levels, and decreased activity of an energy-producing enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase, when compared to the second rat strain. These metabolic characteristics are typical of diabetic individuals. (EurekAlert!)
Barcodes and biodiversity monitoring Jun 14, 2007
Our analyses, based on the two commonly used mitochondrial genes cytochrome c oxidase I (the standard DNA barcode for animal species) and cytochrome b (a common species-level marker), suggest that both arrays and barcodes are capable of discriminating mammalian species with high accuracy ... As for DNA barcoding, our analyses show that both cytochrome c oxidase I and cytochrome b genes, and even smaller fragments of them (mini-barcodes) can successfully discriminate species in a wide variety of... (BioMed Central)
MNI researchers find a new role for mitochondria in cellular copper regulation May 2, 2007
Copper is required for the activity of a number of enzymes including cytochrome c oxidase (COX) in the mitochondria -the energy suppliers of the body. "Our study is the first to characterize an unexpected cell-signaling or messenger role for the two copper-carrying proteins, SCO1 and SCO2, which are necessary for the assembly of COX," says Shoubridge. (EurekAlert!)
Researchers Create Artificial Enzyme That Mimics The Body's Internal Engine Mar 17, 2007
The protein cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) is the ultimate enzyme responsible for all aerobic life on Earth, from bacteria to people. It is also a crucial component of the cellular machinery that generates energy in our body. (Science Daily)
Support for mtDNA aging theory Apr 11, 2006
For instance, up to 30% of pigmented neurons in aged brains can be in a major mitochondrial respiratory-chain enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase (COX) ... K. Itoh et al., "Cytochrome c oxidase defects of the human substantia nigra in normal aging," Neurobiology of Aging, November-December 1996. (The Scientist)
