This membrane-bound bacterial enzyme catalyses the direct oxidation of sulfite to sulfate in the cytoplasm. The enzyme, characterized from the bacteria Ruegeria pomeroyi and Allochromatium vinosum, is a complex that consists of a membrane anchor (SoeC) and two cytoplasmic subunits: an iron-sulfur protein (SoeB) and a molybdoprotein that contains a [4Fe-4S] iron-sulfur cluster (SoeA). cf. EC 1.8.2.1, sulfite dehydrogenase (cytochrome).
Sulfite oxidation in the purple sulfur bacterium Allochromatium vinosum: identification of SoeABC as a major player and relevance of SoxYZ in the process.