Background information
Cytochrome c oxidase subunit III, COX3 (also designated COIII, MTCO3 or oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) Complex IV, subunit III) is one of three mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encoded subunits (MTCO1-3) of respiratory Complex IV. Cytochrome c oxidase is a hetero-oligomeric enzyme composed of 13 subunits localized to the mitochondrial inner membrane and is the terminal enzyme complex of the electron transport chain. Complex IV catalyzes the reduction of molecular oxygen to water. The energy released is used to transport protons across the mitochondrial inner membrane. The resulting electro-chemical gradient is necessary for the synthesis of ATP. Complex IV contains 13 polypeptides; COX1, COX2 and COX3 (MTCO1-3) make up the catalytic core and are encoded by mtDNA while subunits IV, Va, Vb, VIa, VIb, VIc, VIIa, VIIb, VIIc and VIII are nuclear-encoded. Apoptosis in mammalian cells may be triggered by inhibition of mitochondrial COX. Specifically, reduction of COX3 has been associated with apoptosis and studies have shown that overexpression of COX3 results in a reduction of signals associated with apoptosis.
