Respiratory Coenzyme

The reduced form of the respiratory coenzyme diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPNH), which is vitally important for all cellular metabolism, is changed by dilute acid to a substance that, in the light of the following model experiments, may be a covalent hydrate. The 1,4-and 1,6-dihydro derivatives of l-benzylpyridine-3-carboxamide furnish a single substance when dissolved in dilute acid at 20° and the solution is basified. The stable yellow product, which has a prominent peak at 292 nm, was assigned the constitution 1-benzyl-6-hydroxy-1,4,5,6-tetra-hydropyridine-3-carboxamide61 (see Scheme 2). 3-Acetyl-1 -benzyl- 1,4-... 

In these anaerobic conditions, the citric acid cycle cannot be completed since the succinodehydro-genase activity requires the presence of FAD, a strictly respiratory coenzyme. The chain of reactions is therefore interrupted at succinate, which accumulates (0.5-1.5 g/1). The NADH generated by this portion of the Krebs cycle (from oxaloacetate to succinate) is reoxidized by the formation of glycerol from dihydroxyacetone. 

NAD+ and NADP+ are coenzymes of dehydrogenases. NADH and NADPH are intermediate carriers of both hydrogen and electrons. Most NAD-dependent enzymes are located in the mitochondria and deliver H2 to the respiratory chain whereas NADP-dependent enzymes take part in cytosolic syntheses (reductive biosyntheses). 

Reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NADH) plays a vital role in the reduction of oxygen in the respiratory chain [139]. The biological activity of NADH and oxidized nicotinamideadenine dinucleotide (NAD ) is based on the ability of the nicotinamide group to undergo reversible oxidation-reduction reactions, where a hydride equivalent transfers between a pyridine nucleus in the coenzymes and a substrate (Scheme 29a). The prototype of the reaction is formulated by a simple process where a hydride equivalent transfers from an allylic position to an unsaturated bond (Scheme 29b). No bonds form between the n bonds where electrons delocalize or where the frontier orbitals localize. The simplified formula can be compared with the ene reaction of propene (Scheme 29c), where a bond forms between the n bonds. 

The citric acid cycle is an integral part of the process by which much of the free energy liberated during the oxidation of fuels is made available. During oxidation of acetyl-CoA, coenzymes are reduced and subsequendy reoxidized in the respiratory chain, hnked to the formation of ATP (oxicktive phosphorylation see Figure 16-2 and also Chapter 12). This process is aerobic, requiring oxygen as the final oxidant of the reduced coenzymes. The enzymes of the citric acid cycle are lo-... 

The reduced coenzymes are oxidized by the respiratory chain linked to formation of ATP. Thus, the cycle is the major route for the generation of ATP and is located in the matrix of mitochondria adjacent to the enzymes of the respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation. 

ATP synthase reaction has been calculated as approximately 51.6 kJ. It follows that the total energy captured in ATP per mole of glucose oxidized is 1961 kJ, or approximately 68% of the energy of combustion. Most of the ATP is formed by oxidative phosphorylation resulting from the reoxidation of reduced coenzymes by the respiratory chain. The remainder is formed by substrate-level phosphorylation (Table 17—1). 

Ubiquinone, known also as coenzyme Q, plays a crucial role as a respiratory chain electron carrier transport in inner mitochondrial membranes. It exerts this function through its reversible reduction to semiquinone or to fully hydrogenated ubiquinol, accepting two protons and two electrons. Because it is a small lipophilic molecule, it is freely diffusable within the inner mitochondrial membrane. Ubiquinones also act as important lipophilic endogenous antioxidants and have other functions of great importance for cellular metabolism. ... 

Thus, in one cycle, eight hydrogen atoms (H+ + e ) are transferred to hydrogen-transmitting coenzymes and later oxidized to water in the respiratory chain. This process is linked to oxidative phosphorylation, i.e., the synthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate. 

Ubiquinones (coenzymes Q) Q9 and Qi0 are essential cofactors (electron carriers) in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. They play a key role shuttling electrons from NADH and succinate dehydrogenases to the cytochrome b-c1 complex in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Ubiquinones are lipid-soluble compounds containing a redox active quinoid ring and a tail of 50 (Qio) or 45 (Q9) carbon atoms (Figure 29.10). The predominant ubiquinone in humans is Qio while in rodents it is Q9. Ubiquinones are especially abundant in the mitochondrial respiratory chain where their concentration is about 100 times higher than that of other electron carriers. Ubihydroquinone Q10 is also found in LDL where it supposedly exhibits the antioxidant activity (see Chapter 23). 

The precise mechanism of dimethylhydrazine toxicity is uncertain. In addition to the contact irritant effects, the acute effects of dimethylhydrazine exposure may involve the central nervous system as exemplified by tremors and convulsions (Shaffer and Wands 1973) and behavioral changes at sublethal doses (Streman et al. 1969). Back and Thomas (1963) noted that the deaths probably involve respiratory arrest and cardiovascular collapse. The central nervous system as a target is consistent with the delayed latency in response reported for dimethylhydrazine (Back and Thomas 1963). There is some evidence that 1,1-dimethylhydrazine may act as an inhibitor of glutamic acid decarboxylase, thereby adversely affecting the aminobutyric acid shunt, and could explain the latency of central-nervous-system effects (Back and Thomas 1963). Furthermore, vitamin B6 analogues that act as coenzymes in the aminobutyric acid shunt have been shown to be effective antagonists to 1,1-dimethylhydrazine toxicity (reviewed in Back and Thomas 1963). 

Abnormalities of the respiratoiy chain. These are increasingly identified as the hallmark of mitochondrial diseases or mitochondrial encephalomyopathies [13]. They can be identified on the basis of polarographic studies showing differential impairment in the ability of isolated intact mitochondria to use different substrates. For example, defective respiration with NAD-dependent substrates, such as pyruvate and malate, but normal respiration with FAD-dependent substrates, such as succinate, suggests an isolated defect of complex I (Fig. 42-3). However, defective respiration with both types of substrates in the presence of normal cytochrome c oxidase activity, also termed complex IV, localizes the lesions to complex III (Fig. 42-3). Because frozen muscle is much more commonly available than fresh tissue, electron transport is usually measured through discrete portions of the respiratory chain. Thus, isolated defects of NADH-cytochrome c reductase, or NADH-coenzyme Q (CoQ) reductase suggest a problem within complex I, while a simultaneous defect of NADH and succinate-cytochrome c reductase activities points to a biochemical error in complex III (Fig. 42-3). Isolated defects of complex III can be confirmed by measuring reduced CoQ-cytochrome c reductase activity. 

Fuel. Lipids are an important source of energy in the diet. In quantitative terms, they represent the principal energy reserve in animals. Neutral fats in particular are stored in specialized cells, known as adipocytes. Fatty acids are released from these again as needed, and these are then oxidized in the mitochondria to form water and carbon dioxide, with oxygen being consumed. This process also gives rise to reduced coenzymes, which are used for ATP production in the respiratory chain (see p. 140). 

The pyridine nucleotides NAD"" and NADP" (1) are widely distributed as coenzymes of dehydrogenases. They transport hydride ions (2e and 1 see p. 32) and always act in soluble form. NAD" transfers reducing equivalents from catabolic pathways to the respiratory chain and thus contributes to energy... 

The role of ubiquinone (coenzyme Q, 4) in transferring reducing equivalents in the respiratory chain is discussed on p. 140. During reduction, the quinone is converted into the hydroquinone (ubiquinol). The isoprenoid side chain of ubiquinone can have various lengths. It holds the molecule in the membrane, where it is freely mobile. Similar coenzymes are also found in photosynthesis (plastoquinone see p. 132). Vitamins E and K (see p. 52) also belong to the quinone/hydroquinone systems. 

Heme coenzymes (8) with redox functions exist in the respiratory chain (see p. 140), in photosynthesis (see p. 128), and in monooxygenases and peroxidases (see p. 24). Heme-containing proteins with redox functions are also referred to as cytochromes. In cytochromes, in contrast to hemoglobin and myoglobin, the iron changes its valence (usually between +2 and +3). There are several classes of heme (a, b, and c), which have different types of substituent - Ri to - R 3. Hemoglobin, myoglobin, and the heme enzymes contain heme b. Two types of heme a are found in cytochrome c oxidase (see p. 132), while heme c mainly occurs in cytochrome c, where it is covalently bound with cysteine residues of the protein part via thioester bonds. 

Coenzyme availability can also often have a limiting effect (5). If the coenzyme is regenerated by a second, independent metabolic pathway, the speed of the second pathway can limit that of the first one. For example, glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle are mainly regulated by the availability of NAD" (see p. 146). Since NAD is regenerated by the respiratory chain, the latter indirectly controls the breakdown of glucose and fatty acids (respiratory control, see p. 144). 

All of the complexes in the respiratory chain are made up of numerous polypeptides and contain a series of different protein bound redox coenzymes (see pp. 104, 106). These include flavins (FMN or FAD in complexes I and II), iron-sulfur clusters (in I, II, and III), and heme groups (in II, III, and IV). Of the more than 80 polypeptides in the respiratory chain, only 13 are coded by the mitochondrial genome (see p. 210). The remainder are encoded by nuclear genes, and have to be imported into the mitochondria after being synthesized in the cytoplasm (see... 

The simple regulatory mechanism which ensures that ATP synthesis is automatically coordinated with ATP consumption is known as respiratory control. It is based on the fact that the different parts of the oxidative phosphorylation process are coupled via shared coenzymes and other factors (left). 

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is found in liver, milk, meat, green vegetables, cereals and mushrooms. It is active in the form of two coenzymes, flavin mononucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide. As a coenzyme for proton transfer in the respiratory chain it is indispensable for energy-release from carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Riboflavin deficiency only occurs in combination with deficiencies of other members of the vitamin B family. The symptoms of such deficiency consist of angular stomatitis, lesions of the cornea, dermatoses and normochromic normocytic anaemia. 

Primaquine is the least toxic and most effective of the 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial compounds. The mechanism by which 8-aminoquinolines exert their antimalarial effects is thought to be through a quinoline-quinone metabolite that inhibits the coenzyme Q-mediated respiratory chain of the exoerythrocytic parasite. 

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...

The oxidation of fatty acids is catalyzed by the FAD-containing acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenases which transfer reducing equivalents to the mitochondrial respiratory chain via a flavin-containing electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF) and subsequently via an ETF dehydrogenase (an Fe/S flavoprotein In addition to the mammalian... 

FIGURE 19-1 Biochemical anatomy of a mitochondrion. The convolutions (cristae) of the inner membrane provide a very large surface area. The inner membrane of a single liver mitochondrion may have more than 10,000 sets of electron-transfer systems (respiratory chains) and ATP synthase molecules, distributed over the membrane surface. Heart mitochondria, which have more profuse cristae and thus a much larger area of inner membrane, contain more than three times as many sets of electron-transfer systems as liver mitochondria. The mitochondrial pool of coenzymes and intermediates is functionally separate from the cytosolic pool. The mitochondria of invertebrates, plants, and microbial eukaryotes are similar to those shown here, but with much variation in size, shape, and degree of convolution of the inner membrane. 

In addition to NAD and flavoproteins, three other types of electron-carrying molecules function in the respiratory chain a hydrophobic quinone (ubiquinone) and two different types of iron-containing proteins (cytochromes and iron-sulfur proteins). Ubiquinone (also called coenzyme Q, or simply Q) is a lipid-soluble ben-zoquinone with a long isoprenoid side chain (Fig. 19-2). The closely related compounds plastoquinone (of plant chloroplasts) and menaquinone (of bacteria) play roles analogous to that of ubiquinone, carrying electrons in membrane-associated electron-transfer chains. Ubiquinone can accept one electron to become the semi-quinone radical ( QH) or two electrons to form ubiquinol (QH2) (Fig. 19-2) and, like flavoprotein carriers, it can act at the junction between a two-electron donor and a one-electron acceptor. Because ubiquinone is both small and hydrophobic, it is freely diffusible within the lipid bilayer of the inner mitochondrial membrane and can shuttle reducing equivalents between other, less mobile electron carriers in the membrane. And because it carries both electrons and protons, it plays a central role in coupling electron flow to proton movement. 

The inner mitochondrial membrane can be disrupted into five sepa rate enzyme complexes, called complexes I, II, III, IV, and V. Complexes I to IV each contain part of the electron transport chain (Figure 6.8), whereas complex V catalyzes ATP synthesis (see p. 78). Each complex accepts or donates electrons to relatively mobile electron carriers, such as coenzyme Q and cytochrome c. Each car rier in the electron transport chain can receive electrons from an electron donor, and can subsequently donate electrons to the next carrier in the chain. The electrons ultimately combine with oxygen and protons to form water. This requirement for oxygen makes the electron transport process the respiratory chain, which accounts for the greatest portion of the body s use of oxygen. 

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