CYT1

CYT1, also known as Cytochrome c1, is a protein component of the cytochrome bc1 complex, also referred to as Complex III in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. This complex plays a crucial role in cellular respiration, the process by which cells generate energy in the form of ATP. CYT1 is a heme-containing protein and is essential for the transfer of electrons. Specifically, it acts as an electron carrier within the cytochrome bc1 complex, facilitating the transfer from ubiquinol to cytochrome c. This electron transfer is coupled with the pumping of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane, contributing to the proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis. Mutations or deficiencies in CYT1 can impair mitochondrial function and have been associated with certain metabolic disorders. The gene encoding CYT1 is located on human chromosome 17. Its precise structural arrangement within the bc1 complex allows for efficient and controlled electron flow, a fundamental process for aerobic life.