Ultrafast haem-haem electron transfer in cytochrome c oxidase.

Electron transfer between the redox centres is essential for the function of the haem-copper oxidases. To date, the fastest rate of electron transfer between the haem groups has been determined to be ca. 3 x 10(5) s(-1). Here, we show by optical spectroscopy that about one half of this electron transfer actually occurs at least three orders of magnitude faster, after photolysis of carbon monoxide from the half-reduced bovine heart enzyme. We ascribe this to the true haem-haem electron tunnelling rate between the haem groups.