Changes in the cytochromec content during the aerobic adaptation ofParacoccus denitrificans

Abstract
Concentration of cytochromec decreases when shaking anaerobically grown cells in a non-growth medium down to 50% of the original amount in the cell, depending on the degree of aeration. Only 10–20% of this amount can be found in the adaptation medium. The main portion of cytochromec is degraded during the adaptation. Inhibitors of proteinases do not influence the degradation. Addition of mammalian cytochromec fully prevents the degradation of bacterial cytochromec but not its release from cells. Potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) exhibits a similar effect as oxygen. The degradation system is probably localized in the periplasmic space of the cells.