Reconstitution of respiratory-enzyme systems VII. Preparation of the cytochromes b-c1 complex from heart muscle

Kinetics of integrated electron transfer in the mitochondrial respiratory chain: random collisions vs. solid state electron channeling

Recent evidence, mainly based on native electrophoresis, has suggested that the mitochondrial respiratory chain is organized in the form of supercomplexes, due to the aggregation of the main respiratory chain enzymatic complexes. This evidence strongly contrasts the previously accepted model, the Random Diffusion Model, largely based on kinetic studies, stating that the complexes are randomly distributed in the lipid bilayer of the inner membrane and functionally connected by lateral diffusion of small redox molecules, i.e., coenzyme Q and cytochrome c. This review critically examines the experimental evidence, both structural and functional, pertaining to the two models and attempts to provide an updated view of the organization of the respiratory chain and of its kinetic consequences. The conclusion that structural respiratory assemblies exist is overwhelming, whereas the expected functional consequence of substrate channeling between the assembled enzymes is controversial. Examination of the available evidence suggests that, although the supercomplexes are structurally stable, their kinetic competence in substrate channeling is more labile and may depend on the system under investigation and the assay conditions.

Coenzyme Q: Reversal of Inhibition of Succinate Cytochromec Reductase by Lipophilic Compounds

The activity of a particulate succinate cytochrome c reductase is inhibited by antimycin, 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide, 2-(9-cyclohexyl-n-nonyl)-3-hydroxy-1,4naphthoquinone and thenoyltrifluoroacetone. The ratio of antimycin A (required for complete inhibition) to the molar content of the cytochrome b of the reductase is approximately 0.5 in contrast to the reported value of 1.0 or higher for succinate oxidase preparations. However, the degreeof inhibition by antimycin is dependent on the exogenous coenzyme Q (ubiquinone) present. Indeed, the inhibition from any of these compounds is competitively reversed by exogenous coenzyme Q in the system.