Modeling Protein−Protein Complexes Involved in the Cytochrome c Oxidase Copper-Delivery Pathway

Proper assembly and function of cytochrome c oxidase, which catalyzes the reduction of O₂ and generates the proton gradient driving ATP synthesis, depend on correct copper delivery and incorporation. Structural details about the protein−protein complexes involved in this process are still missing. We describe here models of four complexes along this pathway obtained by combining bioinformatics interface predictions with information-driven docking and discuss their relevance with respect to known and pathogenic mutations. Keywords: Docking • cytochrome c oxidase • Cox17 • Sco1 • Cox11 • CoxII • interface prediction • copper delivery • HADDOCK