# COX7B

Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 7B, mitochondrial (COX7B) is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the COX7B gene. COX7B is a nuclear-encoded subunit of cytochrome c oxidase (COX). Cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV) is a multi-subunit enzyme complex that couples the transfer of electrons from cytochrome c to molecular oxygen and contributes to a proton electrochemical gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane, acting as the terminal enzyme of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Work with Oryzias latices has linked disruptions in COX7B with microphthalmia with linear skin lesions (MLS), microcephaly, and mitochondrial disease. Clinically, mutations in COX7B have been associated with linear skin defects with multiple congenital anomalies.

## Structure

COX7B is located on the q arm of the X chromosome in position 21.1 and has 3 exons. The COX7B gene produces a 9.2 kDa protein composed of 80 amino acids. COX7B is one of the nuclear-encoded polypeptide chains of cytochrome c oxidase (COX), a heteromeric complex consisting of 3 catalytic subunits encoded by mitochondrial genes and multiple structural subunits encoded by nuclear genes. The protein encoded by COX7B belongs to the cytochrome c oxidase VIIb family. COX7B has a 24 amino acid transit peptide domain from positions 1-24, an 8 amino acid topological mitochondrial matrix domain from positions 25–32, a helical, 27 amino acid transmembrane domain from positions 33–59, and a 21 amino acid topological intermembrane domain from positions 60–80. COX7B may also have several pseudogenes on chromosomes 1, 2, 20 and 22.

## Function

Cytochrome c oxidase (COX), the terminal enzyme of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, catalyzes the electron transfer from reduced cytochrome c to oxygen. The mitochondrially-encoded subunits of COX function in electron transfer, while the nuclear-encoded subunits may be involved in the regulation and assembly of the complex. The COX7B nuclear gene encodes subunit 7B, which is located on the inner mitochondrial membrane in association with several other proteins encompassing the COX complex. It is found in all tissues and has been shown to be highly similar to bovine COX VIIb protein. COX7B is believed to be important for COX assembly and activity, the function of mitochondrial respiratory chain, and the proper development of the central nervous system in vertebrates.

## Model organisms

Oryzias latices (also known as medaka) is a Japanese rice fish that has been used as a model organism in COX7B studies. By using a morpholino knockdown technique, COX7B has been shown to be indispensable for COX assembly, COX activity, and mitochondrial respiration. Additionally, the down-regulation of an ortholog of COX7B has suggested that there may be an association between COX7B dysfunction and microphthalmia with linear skin lesions (MLS), microcephaly, and mitochondrial disease. Work with Oryzias latices could also indicate an evolutionary conserved role for the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes in central nervous system development.

## Clinical significance

Mutations in COX7B have been associated with linear skin defects with multiple congenital anomalies. This disorder is a distinct form of aplasia cutis congenita presenting as multiple linear skin defects on the face and neck associated with poor growth and short stature, microcephaly, and facial dysmorphism. Additional clinical features include intellectual disability, nail dystrophy, cardiac abnormalities, diaphragmatic hernia, genitourinary abnormalities, pale optic discs and altered visual-evoked potentials, agenesis of the corpus callosum, and other central nervous system abnormalities. The COX7B mutations associated with disease include c.196delC, a heterozygous mutation leading to a frameshift in exon 3, c.41-2A>G, a heterozygous splice mutation in a novel acceptor site in intron 1, and c.55C>T, a heterozygous nonsense mutation in exon 2. Additionally, experiments with Oryzias latices suggest COX7B may be associated with microphthalmia with linear skin lesions (MLS), an X-linked, dominant, male-lethal mitochondrial disorder.

## Interactions

COX7B has been shown to have 6 binary protein-protein interactions including 3 co-complex interactions. GNMT, MYB, MT-CO1, HSCB, and SLC25A13 have all been found to interact with COX7B.