Respiratory chain complexes

Functionally and strucmrally, the components of the respiratory chain are present in the inner mitochondrial membrane as four protein-lipid respiratory chain complexes that span the membrane. Cytochrome c is the only soluble cytochrome and, together with Q, seems to be a more mobile component of the respiratory chain connecting the fixed complexes (Figures 12-7 and 12-8). 

Each of the respiratory chain complexes I, III, and IV (Figures 12-7 and 12-8) acts as a proton pump. The inner membrane is impermeable to ions in general but particularly to protons, which accumulate outside the membrane, creating an electrochemical potential difference across the membrane (A iH )-This consists of a chemical potential (difference in pH) and an electrical potential. 

Figure 12-8. Principles of the chemiosmotic theory of oxidative phosphorylation. The main proton circuit is created by the coupling of oxidation in the respiratory chain to proton translocation from the inside to the outside of the membrane, driven by the respiratory chain complexes I, III, and IV, each of which acts as a protonpump. Q, ubiquinone C, cytochrome c F Fq, protein subunits which utilize energy from the proton gradient to promote phosphorylation. Uncoupling agents such as dinitrophenol allow leakage of H" across the membrane, thus collapsing the electrochemical proton gradient. Oligomycin specifically blocks conduction of H" through Fq.

The redox carriers are grouped into respiratory chain complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane. These use the energy released in the redox gradient to pump protons to the outside of the membrane, creating an electrochemical potential across the membrane. 

Mitochondrial DNA is inherited maternally. What makes mitochondrial diseases particularly interesting from a genetic point of view is that the mitochondrion has its own DNA (mtDNA) and its own transcription and translation processes. The mtDNA encodes only 13 polypeptides nuclear DNA (nDNA) controls the synthesis of 90-95% of all mitochondrial proteins. All known mito-chondrially encoded polypeptides are located in the inner mitochondrial membrane as subunits of the respiratory chain complexes (Fig. 42-3), including seven subunits of complex I the apoprotein of cytochrome b the three larger subunits of cytochrome c oxidase, also termed complex IV and two subunits of ATPase, also termed complex V. 

Defects of nuclear DNA also cause mitochondrial diseases. As mentioned above, the vast majority of mitochondrial proteins are encoded by nDNA, synthesized in the cytoplasm and imported into the mitochondria through a complex series of steps. Diseases can be due to mutations in genes encoding respiratory chain subunits, ancillary proteins controlling the proper assembly of the respiratory chain complexes, proteins controlling the importation machinery, or proteins controlling the lipid composition of the inner membrane. All these disorders will be transmitted by mendelian inheritance. From a biochemical point of view, all areas of mitochondrial metabolism can be affected (see below). 

All disorders except those in group 5 are due to defects of nDNA and are transmitted by Mendelian inheritance. Disorders of the respiratory chain can be due to defects of nDNA or mtDNA. Usually, mutations of nDNA cause isolated, severe defects of individual respiratory complexes, whereas mutations in mtDNA or defects of intergenomic communication cause variably severe, multiple deficiencies of respiratory chain complexes. The description that follows is based on the biochemical classification. 

Both mitochondrial membranes are very rich in proteins. Porins (see p. 214) in the outer membrane allow small molecules (< 10 kDa) to be exchanged between the cytoplasm and the intermembrane space. By contrast, the inner mitochondrial membrane is completely impermeable even to small molecules (with the exception of O2, CO2, and H2O). Numerous transporters in the inner membrane ensure the import and export of important metabolites (see p. 212). The inner membrane also transports respiratory chain complexes, ATP synthase, and other enzymes. The matrix is also rich in enzymes (see B). 

A fully functional PDH complex leads to acetyl CoA accumulation. Overproduction of acetyl CoA, without utilisation in the respiratory chain complex, results in accumulation of acetyl CoA in the cytoplasm, where it serves as a substrate for fat production. An inability to metabolise acetyl CoA also leads to increased circulating levels of ACAC and [8, 13]. 

Fig. 3.8.1 The genetic complexity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain biogenesis. CI-V Respiratory chain complexes I-V, mtDNA mitochondrial DNA...

Fig.3.8.3 Oxygen uptake by intact (a) and digitonin-permeabilized (b) fibroblasts. I-V Respiratory chain complexes I-V, AcCoA acetylcoenzyme A, BSA bovine serum albumin, CCP carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, Cit citrate, CoA coenzyme A, CS citrate synthase, Dig digitonin, Fo FI the ATPase components, Fum fumarase, G3P glycerol-3-phosphate, im inner membrane, Mai malate, Malo malonate, MDH malate dehydrogenase, OAA oxaloacetate, om outer membrane, PDH pyruvate dehydrogenase, Pi inorganic phosphate, Pyr pyruvate, Q ubiquinone, Rot rotenone, Succ succinate, t time...

Complex IV Cytochrome c to 02 In the final step of the respiratory chain, Complex IV, also called cytochrome oxidase, carries electrons from cytochrome c to molecular oxygen, reducing it to H20. Complex IV is a large enzyme (13 subunits Mr 204,000) of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Bacteria contain a form that is much simpler, with only three or four subunits, but still capable of catalyzing both electron transfer and proton pumping. Comparison of the mitochondrial and bacterial complexes suggests that three subunits are critical to the function (Fig. 19-13). 

The multisubunit complexes of the respiratory chain. Complexes I (NADH dehydrogenase) and II (succinate dehydrogenase) transfer electrons from NADH and succinate to UQ. Complex III (the cytochrome bc complex) transfers electrons from UQH2 to cytochrome c, and complex IV (cytochrome oxidase), from cytochrome c to 02. The arrows represent paths of electron flow. NADH and succinate provide electrons from the matrix side of the inner membrane, and 02 removes electrons on this side. Cytochrome c is reduced and oxidized on the opposite side of the membrane, in the lumen of a crista or in the intermembrane space. 

Propofol infusion syndrome can present with one component only, such as lactic acidosis (954) or rhabdomyolysis (955) (see below). It has been suggested that patients who are susceptible to metabolic acidosis or rhabdomyolysis after propofol administration may have subclinical forms of mitochondrial diseases that affect either the respiratory chain complex or fatty acid oxidation (956). In order to minimize the development of propofol infusion syndrome as a potentially lethal complication, a maximum dose of 3 mg/kg/hour has been recommended for sedation in intensive care patients. 

M17. Mowat, D., Kirby, D. M., Kamath, K. R., Kan, A., Thorburn, D. R., and Christodoulou, J., Respiratory chain Complex III in deficiency with pruritus A novel vitamin responsive clinical feature. J. Pediatr. 134, 352-354 (1999). 

Most anaerobically functioning mitochondria use endogenously produced fumarate as a terminal electron-acceptor (see before) and thus contain a FRD as the final respiratory chain complex (Behm 1991). The reduction of fumarate is the reversal of succinate oxidation, a Krebs cycle reaction catalysed by succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), also known as complex II of the electron-transport chain (Fig. 5.3). The interconversion of succinate and fumarate is readily reversible by FRD and SDH complexes in vitro. However, under standard conditions in the cell, oxidation and reduction reactions preferentially occur when electrons are transferred to an acceptor with a higher standard redox potential therefore, electrons derived from the oxidation of succinate to fumarate (E° = + 30 mV) are transferred by SDH to ubiquinone,... 

The twins were referred subsequently to a metabolic specialist because of the suspicion of an inborn error of metabolism. Biochemical testing revealed each had a hyperchloremic (increased blood chloride concentration) metabolic acidosis that was more profound in Elizabeth. Serum levels of glucose and liver transaminases were normal. Urinary organic acids revealed modestly increased concentrations of lactate and ketone bodies. Blood samples and fibroblasts from skin biopsies from both girls were sent to an established diagnostic laboratory for genetic mitochondrial diseases. Tests of respiratory chain complex enzymatic activities were normal. 

Respiratory Chain (Complex I, II, III, and IV, Ubiquinone, Cytochrome c, Proton Pump, Membrane Potential, Proton Motive Force)... 

Table 1 Summary of respiratory chain, complex V and PDHc activity assays. All assays are spectrophotometric assays except for the PDHc assay with CO2 detection, which is a radiochemical assay. The specific inhibitor indicated is used for blank measurements. Non-standard abbreviations UQi nbiquinone-Qi DQ decylubiquinone DCIP 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol, PK pyruvate kinase LDH lactate dehydrogenase AABS / -[p-(aminophenyl)azo]benzene sulfonic acid ArAt arylamine acetyltransferase...

Kirby DM, Thorburn DR, Turnbull DM, Taylor RW. Biochemical assays of respiratory chain complex activity. Methods Cell Biol. 2007 80 93-119. 

B. A. Ackrell. 2000. Progress in understanding structure-function relationships in respiratory chain complex II FEBSLett. 466 1-5. (PubMedl... 

At present much evidence is quoted in favour of the idea [19-22,25,26,38] that the proton circuitry between respiration and ATP synthesis is confined to the membrane proper or its interphases with the aqueous media transversal localisation). Special high conductance pathways of the protons have been postulated along the membrane, with resistive and capacitative barriers against delocalisation of translocated protons into the bulk media. Typical of this idea is the prediction that the functionally relevant pmf (across a restricted membrane domain) is higher than that between the bulk aqueous phases (cf., above). However, other sets of experiments based on inhibitor titrations [35-37,89,90] suggest lateral localisation of protonic circuits. This implies that a particular respiratory chain complex would be able to drive ATP synthesis only in a limited membrane domain containing one or very few ATP synthase complexes. These two modes of localisation are, of course, not mutually exclusive. Transversal localisation does not necessarily require lateral localisation, but the latter is difficult to envisage unless the former is also true. 

Cytochrome c serves as the key regulator of apoptosis because once it is released from the intermembrane space, the cell is irreversibly committed to death. Either apoptosis occurs through the caspase-mediated process described above, or the cell undergoes a necrosis-like death due to the collapse of electron transport. Release of Cyt c interrupts the transfer of electrons between respiratory chain complexes III and rV, resulting in the generation of deleterious radical species (oxidative stress) and the... 

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