Characterization of the Iron-Sulfur Cluster N7 (N1c) in the Subunit NuoG of the Proton-translocating NADH-quinone Oxidoreductase from Escherichia coli

Redox Characterization of the Complex Molybdenum Enzyme Formate Dehydrogenase from Cupriavidus necator

The oxygen-tolerant and molybdenum-dependent formate dehydrogenase FdsDABG from Cupriavidus necator is capable of catalyzing both formate oxidation to CO2 and the reverse reaction (CO2 reduction to formate) at neutral pH, which are both reactions of great importance to energy production and carbon capture. FdsDABG is replete with redox cofactors comprising seven Fe/S clusters, flavin mononucleotide, and a molybdenum ion coordinated by two pyranopterin dithiolene ligands. The redox potentials of these centers are described herein and assigned to specific cofactors using combinations of potential-dependent continuous wave and pulse EPR spectroscopy and UV/visible spectroelectrochemistry on both the FdsDABG holoenzyme and the FdsBG subcomplex. These data represent the first redox characterization of a complex metal dependent formate dehydrogenase and provide an understanding of the highly efficient catalytic formate oxidation and CO2 reduction activity that are associated with the enzyme.

Multi-Objective Optimization of Process Parameters of Longitudinal Axial Threshing Cylinder for Frozen Corn Using RSM and NSGA-II

Corn was frozen at harvest time in high-latitude areas, when corn kernel is wetter and more easily broken. When frozen corn was threshed and separated by the longitudinal axial threshing cylinder of a combine harvester, it caused a significantly high kernel damage rate and loss rate. The process parameters of threshing cylinder were optimized using RSM (response surface method) and NSGA-II (Non-Dominated Sorted Genetic Algorithm-II). The drum speed (Ds), feed rate (Fr) and concave clearance (Cc) were determined as the optimized process parameters. The loss rate (Lr) and damage rate (Dr) were indicators of operational performance. The RSM was used to establish a mathematical model between process parameters and indicators. With an elite strategy, NSGA-II was used for multi-objective optimization to obtain the optimal operational performance of the threshing cylinder. Overall, when the drum speed was selected as 384.1 rpm, the feed rate as 8.6 kg/s and the concave clearance as 40.5 mm, according to the requirement of corn harvest, the best operational performance of the longitudinal axial threshing cylinder on frozen corn was obtained. The Lr was 1.98% and the Dr was 3.49%. This result indicated that the applicability of the optimal process parameters and the optimization method of combining NSGA-II and RSM was effective for determining the optimal process parameters. This will provide an optimization method for synchronously reducing the loss rate and damage rate of grain harvesters.

LdIscU is a [2Fe-2S] scaffold protein which interacts with LdIscS and its expression is modulated by Fe-S proteins in Leishmania donovani

The pathogenicity of protozoan parasites is frequently attributed to their ability to circumvent the deleterious effects of ROS and Fe-S clusters are among their susceptible targets with paramount importance for parasite survival. The biogenesis of Fe-S clusters is orchestrated by ISC system; the sulfur donor IscS and scaffold protein IscU being its core components. However, among protozoan parasites including Leishmania, no information is available regarding biochemical aspect of IscU, its interaction partners and regulation. Here, we show that Leishmania donovani IscU homolog, LdIscU, readily assembles [2Fe-2S] clusters and, interestingly, follows Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics. It is localized in the mitochondria of the parasite and interacts with LdIscS to form a stable complex. Additionally, LdIscU and Fe-S proteins activity is significantly upregulated in resistant isolates and during stationary growth stage indicating an association between them. The differential expression of LdIscU modulated by Fe-S proteins demand suggests its potential role in parasite survival and drug resistance. Thus, our study provides novel insight into the Fe-S scaffold protein of a protozoan parasite.

Enzymatic and spectroscopic properties of a thermostable [NiFe]‑hydrogenase performing H2-driven NAD+-reduction in the presence of O2

Biocatalysts that mediate the H₂-dependent reduction of NAD⁺ to NADH are attractive from both a fundamental and applied perspective. Here we present the first biochemical and spectroscopic characterization of an NAD⁺-reducing [NiFe]‑hydrogenase that sustains catalytic activity at high temperatures and in the presence of O₂, which usually acts as an inhibitor. We isolated and sequenced the four structural genes, hoxFUYH, encoding the soluble NAD⁺-reducing [NiFe]‑hydrogenase (SH) from the thermophilic betaproteobacterium, Hydrogenophilus thermoluteolus TH-1^T (Ht). The HtSH was recombinantly overproduced in a hydrogenase-free mutant of the well-studied, H₂-oxidizing betaproteobacterium Ralstonia eutropha H16 (Re). The enzyme was purified and characterized with various biochemical and spectroscopic techniques. Highest H₂-mediated NAD⁺ reduction activity was observed at 80°C and pH6.5, and catalytic activity was found to be sustained at low O₂ concentrations. Infrared spectroscopic analyses revealed a spectral pattern for as-isolated HtSH that is remarkably different from those of the closely related ReSH and other [NiFe]‑hydrogenases. This indicates an unusual configuration of the oxidized catalytic center in HtSH. Complementary electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic analyses revealed spectral signatures similar to related NAD⁺-reducing [NiFe]‑hydrogenases. This study lays the groundwork for structural and functional analyses of the HtSH as well as application of this enzyme for H₂-driven cofactor recycling under oxic conditions at elevated temperatures.

Reversible FMN dissociation from Escherichia coli respiratory complex I

Respiratory complex I transfers electrons from NADH to quinone, utilizing the reaction energy to translocate protons across the membrane. It is a key enzyme of the respiratory chain of many prokaryotic and most eukaryotic organisms. The reversible NADH oxidation reaction is facilitated in complex I by non-covalently bound flavin mononucleotide (FMN). Here we report that the catalytic activity of E. coli complex I with artificial electron acceptors potassium ferricyanide (FeCy) and hexaamineruthenium (HAR) is significantly inhibited in the enzyme pre-reduced by NADH. Further, we demonstrate that the inhibition is caused by reversible dissociation of FMN. The binding constant (K_d) for FMN increases from the femto- or picomolar range in oxidized complex I to the nanomolar range in the NADH reduced enzyme, with an FMN dissociation time constant of ~5s. The oxidation state of complex I, rather than that of FMN, proved critical to the dissociation. Such dissociation is not observed with the T. thermophilus enzyme and our analysis suggests that the difference may be due to the unusually high redox potential of Fe-S cluster N1a in E. coli. It is possible that the enzyme attenuates ROS production in vivo by releasing FMN under highly reducing conditions.

Roles of subunit NuoL in the proton pumping coupling mechanism of NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) from Escherichia coli

Respiratory complex I has an L-shaped structure formed by the hydrophilic arm responsible for electron transfer and the membrane arm that contains protons pumping machinery. Here, to gain mechanistic insights into the role of subunit NuoL, we investigated the effects of Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺ and the Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter inhibitor 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride (EIPA) on proton pumping activities of various isolated NuoL mutant complex I after reconstitution into Escherichia coli double knockout (DKO) membrane vesicles lacking complex I and the NADH dehydrogenase type 2. We found that Mg²⁺ was critical for proton pumping activity of complex I. At 2 µM Zn²⁺, proton pumping of the wild-type was selectively inhibited without affecting electron transfer; no inhibition in proton pumping of D178N and D400A was observed, suggesting the involvement of these residues in Zn²⁺ binding. Fifteen micromolar of EIPA caused up to ∼40% decrease in the proton pumping activity of the wild-type, D303A and D400A/E, whereas no significant change was detected in D178N, indicating its possible involvement in the EIPA binding. Furthermore, when menaquinone-rich DKO membranes were used, the proton pumping efficiency in the wild-type was decreased significantly (∼50%) compared with NuoL mutants strongly suggesting that NuoL is involved in the high efficiency pumping mechanism in complex I.

The multitude of iron-sulfur clusters in respiratory complex I

Respiratory complex I couples the electron transfer from NADH to ubiquinone with the translocation of protons across the membrane. Complex I contains one non-covalently bound flavin mononucleotide and, depending on the species, up to ten iron-sulfur (Fe/S) clusters as cofactors. The reason for the presence of the multitude of Fe/S clusters in complex I remained enigmatic for a long time. The question was partly answered by investigations on the evolution of the complex revealing the stepwise construction of the electron transfer domain from several modules. Extension of the ancestral to the modern electron input domain was associated with the acquisition of several Fe/S-proteins. The X-ray structure of the complex showed that the NADH oxidation-site is connected with the quinone-reduction site by a chain of seven Fe/S-clusters. Fast enzyme kinetics revealed that this chain of Fe/S-clusters is used to regulate electron-tunneling rates within the complex. A possible function of the off-pathway cluster N1a is discussed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'EBEC 2016: 19th European Bioenergetics Conference, Riva del Garda, Italy, July 2-6, 2016', edited by Prof. Paolo Bernardi.

Loss of Complex I activity in the Escherichia coli enzyme results from truncating the C-terminus of subunit K, but not from cross-linking it to subunits N or L

Complex I is a multi-subunit enzyme of the respiratory chain with seven core subunits in its membrane arm (A, H, J, K, L, M, and N). In the enzyme from Escherichia coli the C-terminal ten amino acids of subunit K lie along the lateral helix of subunit L, and contribute to a junction of subunits K, L and N on the cytoplasmic surface. Using double cysteine mutagenesis, the cross-linking of subunit K (R99C) to either subunit L (K581C) or subunit N (T292C) was attempted. A partial yield of cross-linked product had no effect on the activity of the enzyme, or on proton translocation, suggesting that the C-terminus of subunit K has no dynamic role in function. To further elucidate the role of subunit K genetic deletions were constructed at the C-terminus. Upon the serial deletion of the last 4 residues of the C-terminus of subunit K, various results were obtained. Deletion of one amino acid had little effect on the activity of Complex I, but deletions of 2 or more amino acids led to total loss of enzyme activity and diminished levels of subunits L, M, and N in preparations of membrane vesicles. Together these results suggest that while the C-terminus of subunit K has no dynamic role in energy transduction by Complex I, it is vital for the correct assembly of the enzyme.

Assembly of the Escherichia coli NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (respiratory complex I)

Energy-converting NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, respiratory complex I, couples the electron transfer from NADH to ubiquinone with the translocation of four protons across the membrane. The Escherichia coli complex I is made up of 13 different subunits encoded by the so-called nuo-genes. The electron transfer is catalyzed by nine cofactors, a flavin mononucleotide and eight iron-sulfur (Fe/S)-clusters. The individual subunits and the cofactors have to be assembled together in a coordinated way to guarantee the biogenesis of the active holoenzyme. Only little is known about the assembly of the bacterial complex compared to the mitochondrial one. Due to the presence of so many Fe/S-clusters the assembly of complex I is intimately connected with the systems responsible for the biogenesis of these clusters. In addition, a few other proteins have been reported to be required for an effective assembly of the complex in other bacteria. The proposed role of known bacterial assembly factors is discussed and the information from other bacterial species is used in this review to draw an as complete as possible model of bacterial complex I assembly. In addition, the supramolecular organization of the complex in E. coli is briefly described. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Organization and dynamics of bioenergetic systems in bacteria, edited by Prof. Conrad Mullineaux.

Apoptosis-inducing Factor (AIF) and Its Family Member Protein, AMID, Are Rotenone-sensitive NADH:Ubiquinone Oxidoreductases (NDH-2)

Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and AMID (AIF-homologous mitochondrion-associated inducer of death) are flavoproteins. Although AIF was originally discovered as a caspase-independent cell death effector, bioenergetic roles of AIF, particularly relating to complex I functions, have since emerged. However, the role of AIF in mitochondrial respiration and redox metabolism has remained unknown. Here, we investigated the redox properties of human AIF and AMID by comparing them with yeast Ndi1, a type 2 NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (NDH-2) regarded as alternative complex I. Isolated AIF and AMID containing naturally incorporated FAD displayed no NADH oxidase activities. However, after reconstituting isolated AIF or AMID into bacterial or mitochondrial membranes, N-terminally tagged AIF and AMID displayed substantial NADH:O₂ activities and supported NADH-linked proton pumping activities in the host membranes almost as efficiently as Ndi1. NADH:ubiquinone-1 activities in the reconstituted membranes were highly sensitive to 2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide (IC₅₀ = ∼1 μm), a quinone-binding inhibitor. Overexpressing N-terminally tagged AIF and AMID enhanced the growth of a double knock-out Escherichia coli strain lacking complex I and NDH-2. In contrast, C-terminally tagged AIF and NADH-binding site mutants of N-terminally tagged AIF and AMID failed to show both NADH:O₂ activity and the growth-enhancing effect. The disease mutant AIFΔR201 showed decreased NADH:O₂ activity and growth-enhancing effect. Furthermore, we surprisingly found that the redox activities of N-terminally tagged AIF and AMID were sensitive to rotenone, a well known complex I inhibitor. We propose that AIF and AMID are previously unidentified mammalian NDH-2 enzymes, whose bioenergetic function could be supplemental NADH oxidation in cells.

Phylogenomic analysis and predicted physiological role of the proton-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (complex I) across bacteria

The proton-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (complex I) is a multisubunit integral membrane enzyme found in the respiratory chains of both bacteria and eukaryotic organelles. Although much research has focused on the enzyme's central role in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, comparatively little is known about its role in the diverse energetic lifestyles of different bacteria. Here, we used a phylogenomic approach to better understand the distribution of complex I across bacteria, the evolution of this enzyme, and its potential roles in shaping the physiology of different bacterial groups. By surveying 970 representative bacterial genomes, we predict complex I to be present in ~50% of bacteria. While this includes bacteria with a wide range of energetic schemes, the presence of complex I is associated with specific lifestyles, including aerobic respiration and specific types of phototrophy (bacteria with only a type II reaction center). A phylogeny of bacterial complex I revealed five main clades of enzymes whose evolution is largely congruent with the evolution of the bacterial groups that encode complex I. A notable exception includes the gammaproteobacteria, whose members encode one of two distantly related complex I enzymes predicted to participate in different types of respiratory chains (aerobic versus anaerobic). Comparative genomic analyses suggest a broad role for complex I in reoxidizing NADH produced from various catabolic reactions, including the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and fatty acid beta-oxidation. Together, these findings suggest diverse roles for complex I across bacteria and highlight the importance of this enzyme in shaping diverse physiologies across the bacterial domain.

IMPORTANCE

Living systems use conserved energy currencies, including a proton motive force (PMF), NADH, and ATP. The respiratory chain enzyme, complex I, connects these energy currencies by using NADH produced during nutrient breakdown to generate a PMF, which is subsequently used for ATP synthesis. Our goal is to better understand the role of complex I in bacteria, whose energetic diversity allows us to view its function in a range of biological contexts. We analyzed sequenced bacterial genomes to predict the presence, evolution, and function of complex I in bacteria. We identified five main classes of bacterial complex I and predict that different classes participate in different types of respiratory chains (aerobic and anaerobic). We also predict that complex I helps maintain a cellular redox state by reoxidizing NADH produced from central metabolism. Our findings suggest diverse roles for complex I in bacterial physiology, highlighting the need for future laboratory-based studies.

Heterologous production, isolation, characterization and crystallization of a soluble fragment of the NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) from Aquifex aeolicus

The proton-pumping NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) is the first enzyme complex of the respiratory chains in many bacteria and most eukaryotes. It is the least understood of all, due to its enormous size and unique energy conversion mechanism. The bacterial complex is in general made up of 14 different subunits named NuoA-N. Subunits NuoE, -F, and -G comprise the electron input part of the complex. We have cloned these genes from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus and expressed them heterologously in Escherichia coli. A soluble subcomplex made up of NuoE and NuoF and containing the NADH binding site, the primary electron acceptor flavin mononucleotide (FMN), the binuclear iron-sulfur cluster N1a, and the tetranuclear iron-sulfur cluster N3 was isolated by chromatographic methods. The proteins were identified by N-terminal sequencing and mass spectrometry; the cofactors were characterized by UV/vis and EPR spectroscopy. Subunit NuoG was not produced in this strain. The preparation was thermostable and exhibited maximum NADH/ferricyanide oxidoreductase activity at 85 degrees C. Analytical size-exclusion chromatography and dynamic light scattering revealed the homogeneity of the preparation. First attempts to crystallize the preparation led to crystals diffracting more than 2 A.

On the mechanism of respiratory complex I

The energy-converting NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, respiratory complex I, couples the transfer of electrons from NADH to ubiquinone with the translocation of protons across the membrane. Electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography revealed the two-part structure of the enzyme complex. A peripheral arm extending into the aqueous phase catalyzes the electron transfer reaction. Accordingly, this arm contains the redox-active cofactors, namely one flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and up to ten iron-sulfur (Fe/S) clusters. A membrane arm embedded in the lipid bilayer catalyzes proton translocation by a yet unknown mechanism. The binding site of the substrate (ubi) quinone is located at the interface of the two arms. The oxidation of one NADH is coupled with the translocation of four protons across the membrane. In this review, the binding of the substrates, the intramolecular electron transfer, the role of individual Fe/S clusters and the mechanism of proton translocation are discussed in the light of recent data obtained from our laboratory.

Energy transducing roles of antiporter-like subunits in Escherichia coli NDH-1 with main focus on subunit NuoN (ND2)

The proton-translocating NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (complex I/NDH-1) contains a peripheral and a membrane domain. Three antiporter-like subunits in the membrane domain, NuoL, NuoM, and NuoN (ND5, ND4 and ND2, respectively), are structurally similar. We analyzed the role of NuoN in Escherichia coli NDH-1. The lysine residue at position 395 in NuoN (NLys(395)) is conserved in NuoL (LLys(399)) but is replaced by glutamic acid (MGlu(407)) in NuoM. Our mutation study on NLys(395) suggests that this residue participates in the proton translocation. Furthermore, we found that MGlu(407) is also essential and most likely interacts with conserved LArg(175). Glutamic acids, NGlu(133), MGlu(144), and LGlu(144), are corresponding residues. Unlike mutants of MGlu(144) and LGlu(144), mutation of NGlu(133) scarcely affected the energy-transducing activities. However, a double mutant of NGlu(133) and nearby KGlu(72) showed significant inhibition of these activities. This suggests that NGlu(133) bears a functional role similar to LGlu(144) and MGlu(144) but its mutation can be partially compensated by the nearby carboxyl residue. Conserved prolines located at loops of discontinuous transmembrane helices of NuoL, NuoM, and NuoN were shown to play a similar role in the energy-transducing activity. It seems likely that NuoL, NuoM, and NuoN pump protons by a similar mechanism. Our data also revealed that NLys(158) is one of the key interaction points with helix HL in NuoL. A truncation study indicated that the C-terminal amphipathic segments of NTM14 interacts with the Mβ sheet located on the opposite side of helix HL. Taken together, the mechanism of H(+) translocation in NDH-1 is discussed.

Semiquinone and cluster N6 signals in His-tagged proton-translocating NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) from Escherichia coli

NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) pumps protons across the membrane using downhill redox energy. The Escherichia coli complex I consists of 13 different subunits named NuoA-N coded by the nuo operon. Due to the low abundance of the protein and some difficulty with the genetic manipulation of its large ~15-kb operon, purification of E. coli complex I has been technically challenging. Here, we generated a new strain in which a polyhistidine sequence was inserted upstream of nuoE in the operon. This allowed us to prepare large amounts of highly pure and active complex I by efficient affinity purification. The purified complex I contained 0.94 ± 0.1 mol of FMN, 29.0 ± 0.37 mol of iron, and 1.99 ± 0.07 mol of ubiquinone/1 mol of complex I. The extinction coefficient of isolated complex I was 495 mM(-1) cm(-1) at 274 nm and 50.3 mM(-1) cm(-1) at 410 nm. NADH:ferricyanide activity was 219 ± 9.7 μmol/min/mg by using HEPES-Bis-Tris propane, pH 7.5. Detailed EPR analyses revealed two additional iron-sulfur cluster signals, N6a and N6b, in addition to previously assigned signals. Furthermore, we found small but significant semiquinone signal(s), which have been reported only for bovine complex I. The line width was ~12 G, indicating its neutral semiquinone form. More than 90% of the semiquinone signal originated from the single entity with P½ (half-saturation power level) = 1.85 milliwatts. The semiquinone signal(s) decreased by 60% when with asimicin, a potent complex I inhibitor. The functional role of semiquinone and the EPR assignment of clusters N6a/N6b are discussed.

Mössbauer spectroscopy on respiratory complex I: the iron-sulfur cluster ensemble in the NADH-reduced enzyme is partially oxidized

In mitochondria, complex I (NADH:quinone oxidoreductase) couples electron transfer to proton translocation across an energy-transducing membrane. It contains a flavin mononucleotide to oxidize NADH, and an unusually long series of iron–sulfur (FeS) clusters that transfer the electrons to quinone. Understanding electron transfer in complex I requires spectroscopic and structural data to be combined to reveal the properties of individual clusters and of the ensemble. EPR studies on complex I from Bos taurus have established that five clusters (positions 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 along the seven-cluster chain extending from the flavin) are (at least partially) reduced by NADH. The other three clusters, positions 4 and 6 plus a cluster on the other side of the flavin, are not observed in EPR spectra from the NADH-reduced enzyme: they may remain oxidized, have unusual or coupled spin states, or their EPR signals may be too fast relaxing. Here, we use Mössbauer spectroscopy on ⁵⁷Fe-labeled complex I from the mitochondria of Yarrowia lipolytica to show that the cluster ensemble is only partially reduced in the NADH-reduced enzyme. The three EPR-silent clusters are oxidized, and only the terminal 4Fe cluster (position 7) is fully reduced. Together with the EPR analyses, our results reveal an alternating profile of higher and lower potential clusters between the two active sites in complex I; they are not consistent with the consensus picture of a set of isopotential clusters. The implications for intramolecular electron transfer along the extended chain of cofactors in complex I are discussed.

Disruption of individual nuo-genes leads to the formation of partially assembled NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) in Escherichia coli

The proton-pumping NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, respiratory complex I, couples the electron transfer from NADH to ubiquinone with the translocation of protons across the membrane. In Escherichia coli the complex is made up of 13 different subunits encoded by the so-called nuo-genes. Mutants, in which each of the nuo-genes was individually disrupted by the insertion of a resistance cartridge were unable to assemble a functional complex I. Each disruption resulted in the loss of complex I-mediated activity and the failure to extract a structurally intact complex. Thus, all nuo-genes are required either for the assembly or the stability of a functional E. coli complex I. The three subunits comprising the soluble NADH dehydrogenase fragment of the complex were detected in the cytoplasm of several nuo-mutants as one distinct band after BN-PAGE. It is discussed that the fully assembled NADH dehydrogenase fragment represents an assembly intermediate of the E. coli complex I. A partially assembled complex I bound to the membrane was detected in the nuoK and nuoL mutants, respectively. Overproduction of the ΔNuoL variant resulted in the accumulation of two populations of a partially assembled complex in the cytoplasmic membranes. Both populations are devoid of NuoL. One population is enzymatically active, while the other is not. The inactive population is missing cluster N2 and is tightly associated with the inducible lysine decarboxylase. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Biogenesis/Assembly of Respiratory Enzyme Complexes.

Structural contribution of C-terminal segments of NuoL (ND5) and NuoM (ND4) subunits of complex I from Escherichia coli

The proton-translocating NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (complex I/NDH-1) is a multisubunit enzymatic complex. It has a characteristic L-shaped form with two domains, a hydrophilic peripheral domain and a hydrophobic membrane domain. The membrane domain contains three antiporter-like subunits (NuoL, NuoM, and NuoN, Escherichia coli naming) that are considered to be involved in the proton translocation. Deletion of either NuoL or NuoM resulted in an incomplete assembly of NDH-1 and a total loss of the NADH-quinone oxidoreductase activity. We have truncated the C terminus segments of NuoM and NuoL by introducing STOP codons at different locations using site-directed mutagenesis of chromosomal DNA. Our results suggest an important structural role for the C-terminal segments of both subunits. The data further advocate that the elimination of the last transmembrane helix (TM14) of NuoM and the TM16 (at least C-terminal seven residues) or together with the HL helix and the TM15 of the NuoL subunit lead to reduced stability of the membrane arm and therefore of the whole NDH-1 complex. A region of NuoL critical for stability of NDH-1 architecture has been discussed.

The maturation factors HoxR and HoxT contribute to oxygen tolerance of membrane-bound [NiFe] hydrogenase in Ralstonia eutropha H16

The membrane-bound [NiFe] hydrogenase (MBH) of Ralstonia eutropha H16 undergoes a complex maturation process comprising cofactor assembly and incorporation, subunit oligomerization, and finally twin-arginine-dependent membrane translocation. Due to its outstanding O(2) and CO tolerance, the MBH is of biotechnological interest and serves as a molecular model for a robust hydrogen catalyst. Adaptation of the enzyme to oxygen exposure has to take into account not only the catalytic reaction but also biosynthesis of the intricate redox cofactors. Here, we report on the role of the MBH-specific accessory proteins HoxR and HoxT, which are key components in MBH maturation at ambient O(2) levels. MBH-driven growth on H(2) is inhibited or retarded at high O(2) partial pressure (pO(2)) in mutants inactivated in the hoxR and hoxT genes. The ratio of mature and nonmature forms of the MBH small subunit is shifted toward the precursor form in extracts derived from the mutant cells grown at high pO(2). Lack of hoxR and hoxT can phenotypically be restored by providing O(2)-limited growth conditions. Analysis of copurified maturation intermediates leads to the conclusion that the HoxR protein is a constituent of a large transient protein complex, whereas the HoxT protein appears to function at a final stage of MBH maturation. UV-visible spectroscopy of heterodimeric MBH purified from hoxR mutant cells points to alterations of the Fe-S cluster composition. Thus, HoxR may play a role in establishing a specific Fe-S cluster profile, whereas the HoxT protein seems to be beneficial for cofactor stability under aerobic conditions.

Bacteria, yeast, worms, and flies: exploiting simple model organisms to investigate human mitochondrial diseases

The extensive conservation of mitochondrial structure, composition, and function across evolution offers a unique opportunity to expand our understanding of human mitochondrial biology and disease. By investigating the biology of much simpler model organisms, it is often possible to answer questions that are unreachable at the clinical level. Here, we review the relative utility of four different model organisms, namely the bacterium Escherichia coli, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, in studying the role of mitochondrial proteins relevant to human disease. E. coli are single cell, prokaryotic bacteria that have proven to be a useful model system in which to investigate mitochondrial respiratory chain protein structure and function. S. cerevisiae is a single-celled eukaryote that can grow equally well by mitochondrial-dependent respiration or by ethanol fermentation, a property that has proven to be a veritable boon for investigating mitochondrial functionality. C. elegans is a multicellular, microscopic worm that is organized into five major tissues and has proven to be a robust model animal for in vitro and in vivo studies of primary respiratory chain dysfunction and its potential therapies in humans. Studied for over a century, D. melanogaster is a classic metazoan model system offering an abundance of genetic tools and reagents that facilitates investigations of mitochondrial biology using both forward and reverse genetics. The respective strengths and limitations of each species relative to mitochondrial studies are explored. In addition, an overview is provided of major discoveries made in mitochondrial biology in each of these four model systems.

Pivotal roles of three conserved carboxyl residues of the NuoC (30k) segment in the structural integrity of proton-translocating NADH-quinone oxidoreductase from Escherichia coli

The prokaryotic proton-translocating NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (NDH-1) is an L-shaped membrane-bound enzyme that contains 14 subunits (NuoA-NuoN or Nqo1-Nqo14). All subunits have their counterparts in the eukaryotic enzyme (complex I). NDH-1 consists of two domains: the peripheral arm (NuoB, -C, -D, -E, -F, -G, and -I) and the membrane arm (NuoA, -H, -J, -K, -L, -M, and -N). In Escherichia coli NDH-1, the hydrophilic subunits NuoC/Nqo5/30k and NuoD/Nqo4/49k are fused together in a single polypeptide as the NuoCD subunit. The NuoCD subunit is the only subunit that does not bear a cofactor in the peripheral arm. While some roles for inhibitor and quinone association have been reported for the NuoD segment, structural and functional roles of the NuoC segment remain mostly elusive. In this work, 14 highly conserved residues of the NuoC segment were mutated and 21 mutants were constructed using the chromosomal gene manipulation technique. From the enzymatic assays and immunochemical and blue-native gel analyses, it was found that residues Glu-138, Glu-140, and Asp-143 that are thought to be in the third α-helix are absolutely required for the energy-transducing NDH-1 activities and the assembly of the whole enzyme. Together with available information for the hydrophobic subunits, we propose that Glu-138, Glu-140, and Asp-143 of the NuoC segment may have a pivotal role in the structural stability of NDH-1.

The reaction of NADPH with bovine mitochondrial NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase revisited: II. Comparison of the proposed working hypothesis with literature data

The first purification of bovine NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Complex I) was reported nearly half a century ago (Hatefi et al. J Biol Chem 237:1676-1680, 1962). The pathway of electron-transfer through the enzyme is still under debate. A major obstacle is the assignment of EPR signals to the individual iron-sulfur clusters in the subunits. The preceding paper described a working model based on the kinetics with NADPH. This model is at variance with current views in the field. The present paper provides a critical overview on the possible causes for the discrepancies. It is concluded that the stability of all purified preparations described thus far, including Hatefi's Complex I, is compromised due to removal of the enzyme from the protective membrane environment. In addition, most preparations described during the last two decades are purified by methods involving synthetic detergents and column chromatography. This results in delipidation, loss of endogenous quinones and loss of reactions with (artificial) quinones in a rotenone-sensitive way. The Fe:FMN ratio's indicate that FMN-a is absent, but that all Fe-S clusters may be present. In contrast to the situation in bovine SMP and Hatefi's Complex I, three of the six expected [4Fe-4S] clusters are not detected in EPR spectra. Qualitatively, the overall EPR lineshape of the remaining three cubane signals may seem similar to that of Hatefi's Complex I, but quantitatively it is not. It is further proposed that point mutations in any of the TYKY, PSST, 49-kDa or 30-kDa subunits, considered to make up the delicate structural heart of Complex I, may have unpredictable effects on any of the other subunits of this quartet. The fact that most point mutations led to inactive enzymes makes a correct interpretation of such mutations even more ambiguous. In none of the Complex-I-containing membrane preparations from non-bovine origin, the pH dependencies of the NAD(P)H-->O(2) reactions and the pH-dependent reduction kinetics of the Fe-S clusters with NADPH have been determined. This excludes a proper discussion on the absence or presence of FMN-a in native Complex I from other organisms.

Features of subunit NuoM (ND4) in Escherichia coli NDH-1: TOPOLOGY AND IMPLICATION OF CONSERVED GLU144 FOR COUPLING SITE 1

The bacterial H(+)-pumping NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (NDH-1) is an L-shaped membrane-bound enzymatic complex. Escherichia coli NDH-1 is composed of 13 subunits (NuoA-N). NuoM (ND4) subunit is one of the hydrophobic subunits that constitute the membrane arm of NDH-1 and was predicted to bear 14 helices. We attempted to clarify the membrane topology of NuoM by the introduction of histidine tags into different positions by chromosomal site-directed mutagenesis. From the data, we propose a topology model containing 12 helices (helices I-IX and XII-XIV) located in transmembrane position and two (helices X and XI) present in the cytoplasm. We reported previously that residue Glu(144) of NuoM was located in the membrane (helix V) and was essential for the energy-coupling activities of NDH-1 (Torres-Bacete, J., Nakamaru-Ogiso, E., Matsuno-Yagi, A., and Yagi, T. (2007) J. Biol. Chem. 282, 36914-36922). Using mutant E144A, we studied the effect of shifting the glutamate residue to all sites within helix V and three sites each in helix IV and VI on the function of NDH-1. Twenty double site-directed mutants including the mutation E144A were constructed and characterized. None of the mutants showed alteration in the detectable levels of expressed NuoM or on the NDH-1 assembly. In addition, most of the double mutants did not restore the energy transducing NDH-1 activities. Only two mutants E144A/F140E and E144A/L147E, one helix turn downstream and upstream restored the energy transducing activities of NDH-1. Based on these results, a role of Glu(144) for proton translocation has been discussed.

Reduction of the iron-sulfur clusters in mitochondrial NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) by EuII-DTPA, a very low potential reductant

NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) is the first enzyme of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. It contains a flavin mononucleotide to oxidize NADH, and eight iron-sulfur clusters. Seven of them transfer electrons between the flavin and the quinone-binding site, and one is on the opposite side of the flavin. Although most information about their properties is from EPR, the spectra from only five clusters have been observed, and it is difficult to match them to the structurally defined clusters. Here, we analyze complex I from bovine mitochondria reacted with a very low potential reductant, to impose a potential approaching -1 V. We compare the spectra with those from higher potentials and from the 24 kDa subunit and flavoprotein subcomplex, and model the spectra by starting from those with fewer components and building the complexity gradually. Spectrum N1a, from the 24 kDa subunit [2Fe-2S] cluster, is not observed in bovine complex I at any potential. Spectrum N1b, from the 75 kDa subunit [2Fe-2S] cluster, exhibits a lower potential than the N3, N4 and N5 spectra of three [4Fe-4S] clusters. In the lowest potential spectra an N5-type spectrum is observed at unusually high temperature (indicating a significant change to the cluster, or that two clusters have very similar g values), the relaxation rate of N1b increases (indicating that a nearby cluster has become reduced) and a new feature with an apparent g value of 2.16 suggests an interaction between two reduced clusters. The consequences of these observations for electron transfer in complex I are discussed.

Iron-sulfur cluster N5 is coordinated by an HXXXCXXCXXXXXC motif in the NuoG subunit of Escherichia coli NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (complex I)

NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (complex I) plays a central role in cellular energy metabolism, and its dysfunction is found in numerous human mitochondrial diseases. Although the understanding of its structure and function has been limited, the x-ray crystal structure of the hydrophilic part of Thermus thermophilus complex I recently became available. It revealed the localization of all redox centers, including 9 iron-sulfur clusters and their coordinating ligands, and confirmed the predictions mostly made by Ohnishi et al. (Ohnishi, T., and Nakamaru-Ogiso, E. (2008) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1777, 703-710) based on various EPR studies. Recently, Yakovlev et al. (Yakovlev, G., Reda, T., and Hirst, J. (2007) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 104, 12720-12725) claimed that the EPR signals from clusters N4, N5, and N6b were misassigned. Here we identified and characterized cluster N5 in the Escherichia coli complex I whose EPR signals had never been detected by any group. Using homologous recombination, we constructed mutant strains of H101A, H101C, H101A/C114A, and cluster N5 knock-out. Although mutant NuoEFG subcomplexes were dissociated from complex I, we successfully recovered these mutant NuoCDEFG subcomplexes by expressing the His-tagged NuoCD subunit, which had a high affinity to NuoG. The W221A mutant was used as a control subcomplex carrying wild-type clusters. By lowering temperatures to around 3 K, we finally succeeded in detecting cluster N5 signals in the control for the first time. However, no cluster N5 signals were found in any of the N5 mutants, whereas EPR signals from all other clusters were detected. These data confirmed that, contrary to the misassignment claim, cluster N5 has a unique coordination with His(Cys)(3) ligands in NuoG.

Were there any "misassignments" among iron-sulfur clusters N4, N5 and N6b in NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (complex I)?

NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (complex I) in bovine heart mitochondria has a molecular weight of approximately 1 million Da composed of 45 distinct subunits. It is the largest energy transducing complex so far known. Bacterial complex I is simpler and smaller, but the essential redox components and the basic mechanisms of electron and proton translocation are the same. Over the past three decades, Ohnishi et al. have pursued extensive EPR studies near liquid helium temperatures and characterized most of the iron-sulfur clusters in complex I. Recently, Yakovlev et al. [G. Yakovlev, T. Reda, J. Hirst, Reevaluating the relationship between EPR spectra and enzyme structure for the iron-sulfur clusters in NADH:quinone oxidoreductase, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 104 (2007) 12720-12725] challenged Ohnishi's group by claiming that there were EPR "misassignments" among clusters N4, N5 and N6b (in order to prevent confusion, we used current consensus nomenclature, as the nickname). They claimed that we misassigned EPR signals arising from cluster N5 to cluster N4, and signals from cluster N6b to cluster N4. They also proposed that cluster N5 has (4Cys)-ligands. Based on the accumulated historical data and recent results of our site-specific mutagenesis experiments, we confirmed that cluster N5 has (1His+3Cys)-ligands as we had predicted. We revealed that E. coli cluster N5 signals could be clearly detected at the sample temperature around 3 K with microwave power higher than 5 mW. Thus Hirst's group could not detect N5 signals under any of their EPR conditions, reported in their PNAS paper. It seems that they misassigned the signals from cluster N4 to N5. As to the claim of "misassignment" between clusters N4 and N6b, that was not a possibility because our mutagenesis systems did not contain cluster N6b. Therefore, we believe that we have not made any "misassignment" in our work.

Real-time electron transfer in respiratory complex I

Electron transfer in complex I from Escherichia coli was investigated by an ultrafast freeze-quench approach. The reaction of complex I with NADH was stopped in the time domain from 90 mus to 8 ms and analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy at low temperatures. The data show that after binding of the first molecule of NADH, two electrons move via the FMN cofactor to the iron-sulfur (Fe/S) centers N1a and N2 with an apparent time constant of approximately 90 mus, implying that these two centers should have the highest redox potential in the enzyme. The rate of reduction of center N2 (the last center in the electron transfer sequence) is close to that predicted by electron transfer theory, which argues for the absence of coupled proton transfer or conformational changes during electron transfer from FMN to N2. After fast reduction of N1a and N2, we observe a slow, approximately 1-ms component of reduction of other Fe/S clusters. Because all elementary electron transfer rates between clusters are several orders of magnitude higher than this observed rate, we conclude that the millisecond component is limited by a single process corresponding to dissociation of the oxidized NAD(+) molecule from its binding site, where it prevents entry of the next NADH molecule. Despite the presence of approximately one ubiquinone per enzyme molecule, no transient semiquinone formation was observed, which has mechanistic implications, suggesting a high thermodynamic barrier for ubiquinone reduction to the semiquinone radical. Possible consequences of these findings for the proton translocation mechanism are discussed.

Electrostatic interactions between FeS clusters in NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Complex I) from Escherichia coli

The redox properties of the cofactors of NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) from Escherichia coli were studied by following the changes in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optical spectra upon electrochemical redox titration of the purified protein. At neutral pH, the FMN cofactor had a midpoint redox potential ( E m) approximately -350 mV ( n = 2). Binuclear FeS clusters were well-characterized: N1a was titrated with a single ( n = 1) transition, and E m = -235 mV. In contrast, the titration of N1b can only be fitted with the sum of at least two one-electron Nernstian curves with E m values of -245 and -320 mV. The tetranuclear clusters can also be separated into two groups, either having a single, n = 1, or more complex redox titration curves. The titration curves of the EPR bands attributed to the tetranuclear clusters N2 ( g = 2.045 and g = 1.895) and N6b ( g = 2.089 and g = 1.877) can be presented by the sum of at least two components, each with E m (app) approximately -200/-300 mV and -235/-315 mV, respectively. The titration of the signals at g = 1.956-1.947 (N3 or N7, E m = -315 mV), g = 2.022, and g = 1.932 (Nx, -365 mV) and the low temperature signal at g = 1.929 (N4 or N5, -330 mV) followed Nernstian n = 1 curves. The observed redox titration curves are discussed in terms of intrinsic electrostatic interactions between FeS centers in complex I. A model showing shifts of E m due to the electrostatic interaction between the centers is presented.

Functional role of coenzyme Q in the energy coupling of NADH-CoQ oxidoreductase (Complex I): stabilization of the semiquinone state with the application of inside-positive membrane potential to proteoliposomes

Coenzyme Q10 (which is also designated as CoQ10, ubiquinone-10, UQ10, CoQ, UQ or simply as Q) plays an important role in energy metabolism. For NADH-Q oxidoreductase (complex I), Ohnishi and Salerno proposed a hypothesis that the proton pump is operated by the redox-driven conformational change of a Q-binding protein, and that the bound form of semiquinone (SQ) serves as its gate [FEBS Letters 579 (2005) 45-55]. This was based on the following experimental results: (i) EPR signals of the fast-relaxing SQ anion (designated as QNf(.-)) are observable only in the presence of the proton electrochemical potential (DeltamuH+); (ii) iron-sulfur cluster N2 and QNf(.-) are directly spin-coupled; and (iii) their center-to-center distance was calculated as 12angstroms, but QNf(.-) is only 5angstroms deeper than N2 perpendicularly to the membrane. After the priming reduction of Q to QNf(.-), the proton pump operates only in the steps between the semiquinone anion (QNf(.-)) and fully reduced quinone (QH2). Thus, by cycling twice for one NADH molecule, the pump transports 4H+ per 2e(-). This hypothesis predicts the following phenomena: (a) Coupled with the piericidin A sensitive NADH-DBQ or Q1 reductase reaction, DeltamuH+ would be established; (b) DeltamuH+ would enhance the SQ EPR signals; and (c) the dissipation of DeltamuH+ with the addition of an uncoupler would increase the rate of NADH oxidation and decrease the SQ signals. We reconstituted bovine heart complex I, which was prepared at Yoshikawa's laboratory, into proteoliposomes. Using this system, we succeeded in demonstrating that all of these phenomena actually took place. We believe that these results strongly support our hypothesis.

NADH as Donor

The number of NADH dehydrogenases and their role in energy transduction in Escherchia coli have been under debate for a long time. Now it is evident that E. coli possesses two respiratory NADH dehydrogenases, or NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductases, that have traditionally been called NDH-I and NDH-II. This review describes the properties of these two NADH dehydrogenases, focusing on the mechanism of the energy converting NADH dehydrogenase as derived from the high resolution structure of the soluble part of the enzyme. In E. coli , complex I operates in aerobic and anaerobic respiration, while NDH-II is repressed under anaerobic growth conditions. The insufficient recycling of NADH most likely resulted in excess NADH inhibiting tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes and the glyoxylate shunt. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium complex I mutants are unable to activate ATP-dependent proteolysis under starvation conditions. NDH-II is a single subunit enzyme with a molecular mass of 47 kDa facing the cytosol. Despite the absence of any predicted transmembrane segment it has to be purified in the presence of detergents, and the activity of the preparation is stimulated by an addition of lipids.

Lambda Red-mediated mutagenesis and efficient large scale affinity purification of the Escherichia coli NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I)

The proton-pumping NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, the respiratory complex I, couples the transfer of electrons from NADH to ubiquinone with the translocation of protons across the membrane. The Escherichia coli complex I consists of 13 different subunits named NuoA-N (from NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase), that are coded by the genes of the nuo-operon. Genetic manipulation of the operon is difficult due to its enormous size. The enzymatic activity of variants is obscured by an alternative NADH dehydrogenase, and purification of the variants is hampered by their instability. To overcome these problems the entire E. coli nuo-operon was cloned and placed under control of the l-arabinose inducible promoter ParaBAD. The exposed N-terminus of subunit NuoF was chosen for engineering the complex with a hexahistidine-tag by lambda-Red-mediated recombineering. Overproduction of the complex from this construct in a strain which is devoid of any membrane-bound NADH dehydrogenase led to the assembly of a catalytically active complex causing the entire NADH oxidase activity of the cytoplasmic membranes. After solubilization with dodecyl maltoside the engineered complex binds to a Ni2+-iminodiacetic acid matrix allowing the purification of approximately 11 mg of complex I from 25 g of cells. The preparation is pure and monodisperse and comprises all known subunits and cofactors. It contains more lipids than earlier preparations due to the gentle and fast purification procedure. After reconstitution in proteoliposomes it couples the electron transfer with proton translocation in an inhibitor sensitive manner, thus meeting all prerequisites for structural and functional studies.

Reevaluating the relationship between EPR spectra and enzyme structure for the iron sulfur clusters in NADH:quinone oxidoreductase

NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (complex I) plays a pivotal role in cellular energy production. It employs a series of redox cofactors to couple electron transfer to the generation of a proton-motive force across the inner mitochondrial or bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. Complex I contains a noncovalently bound flavin mononucleotide at the active site for NADH oxidation and eight or nine iron-sulfur clusters to transfer electrons between the flavin and a quinone-binding site. Understanding the mechanism of complex I requires the properties of these clusters to be defined, both individually and as an ensemble. Most functional information on the clusters has been gained from EPR spectroscopy, but some clusters are not observed by EPR and attributing the observed signals to the structurally defined clusters is difficult. The current consensus picture relies on correlating the spectra from overexpressed subunits (containing one to four clusters) with those from intact complexes I. Here, we analyze spectra from the overexpressed NuoG subunit from Escherichia coli complex I and compare them with spectra from the intact enzyme. Consequently, we propose that EPR signals N4 and N5 have been misassigned: signal N4 is from NuoI (not NuoG) and signal N5 is from the conserved cysteine-ligated [4Fe-4S] cluster in NuoG (not from the cluster with a histidine ligand). The consequences of reassigning the EPR signals and their associated functional information on the free energy profile for electron transfer through complex I are discussed.

Iron-sulfur cluster N7 of the NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) is essential for stability but not involved in electron transfer

The NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) from Escherichia coli is composed of 13 subunits called NuoA through NuoN. It catalyzes the electron transfer from NADH to ubiquinone by a chain of redox groups consisting of one FMN and seven iron-sulfur clusters. The function of the additional, nonconserved cluster N7 located on NuoG is not known. It has been speculated that it is not involved in electron transfer, due to its distance of more than 20 A from the electron transfer chain. Dithionite-reduced minus NADH-reduced EPR difference spectra of complex I and of a soluble fragment containing NuoG revealed for the first time the EPR spectrum of N7 in the complex. Individual mutation of the cysteines ligating this cluster to alanine led to a decreased amount of complex I in the membrane without affecting the electron transfer activity. Sucrose gradient centrifugation revealed that the complex from the C230A and C233A mutants decayed in detergent solution while the C237A and C265A mutant complex was stable. Cluster N7 was detectable in the latter mutants but with shifted g-values, indicating a different ligation of N7. Thus, N7 is essential for the stability of the complex but is not involved in electron transfer.

Characterization of a subcomplex of mitochondrial NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) lacking the flavoprotein part of the N-module

Mitochondrial NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase is the largest and most complicated proton pump of the respiratory chain. Here we report the preparation and characterization of a subcomplex of complex I selectively lacking the flavoprotein part of the N-module. Removing the 51-kDa and the 24-kDa subunit resulted in loss of catalytic activity. The redox centers of the subcomplex could be reduced neither by NADH nor NADPH demonstrating that physiological electron input into complex I occurred exclusively via the N-module and that the NADPH binding site in the 39-kDa subunit and further potential nucleotide binding sites are isolated from the electron transfer pathway within the enzyme. Taking advantage of the selective removal of two of the eight iron-sulfur clusters of complex I and providing additional evidence by redox titration and site-directed mutagenesis, we could for the first time unambiguously assign cluster N1 of fungal complex I to mammalian cluster N1b.

Catalytic Importance of Acidic Amino Acids on Subunit NuoB of the Escherichia coli NADH:Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase (Complex I)

The NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) from Escherichia coli is composed of 13 subunits called NuoA through NuoN and contains one FMN and 9 iron-sulfur clusters as redox groups. Electron transfer from NADH to ubiquinone is coupled with the translocation of protons across the membrane by a yet unknown mechanism. Redox-induced Fourier transform infrared difference spectroscopy showed that the oxidation of iron-sulfur cluster N2 located on NuoB is accompanied by the protonation of acidic amino acid(s). Here, we describe the effect of mutating the conserved acidic amino acids on NuoB. The complex was assembled in all mutants but the electron transfer activity was completely abolished in the mutants E67Q, D77N, and D94N. The complex isolated from these mutants contained N2 although in diminished amounts. The protonation of acidic amino acid(s) coupled with the oxidation of N2 was not detectable in the complex from the mutant E67Q. However, the conservative mutations E67D and D77E did not disturb the enzymatic activity, and the signals because of the protonation of acidic amino acid(s) were detectable in the E67D mutant. We discuss the possible participation of Glu(67) in a proton pathway coupled with the redox reaction of N2.

Energy converting NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (complex I)

NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (complex I) pumps protons across the inner membrane of mitochondria or the plasma membrane of many bacteria. Human complex I is involved in numerous pathological conditions and degenerative processes. With 14 central and up to 32 accessory subunits, complex I is among the largest membrane-bound protein assemblies. The peripheral arm of the L-shaped molecule contains flavine mononucleotide and eight or nine iron-sulfur clusters as redox prosthetic groups. Seven of the iron-sulfur clusters form a linear electron transfer chain between flavine and quinone. In most organisms, the seven most hydrophobic subunits forming the core of the membrane arm are encoded by the mitochondrial genome. Most central subunits have evolved from subunits of different hydrogenases and bacterial Na+/H+ antiporters. This evolutionary origin is reflected in three functional modules of complex I. The coupling mechanism of complex I most likely involves semiquinone intermediates that drive proton pumping through redox-linked conformational changes.

Electron tunneling chains of mitochondria

The single, simple concept that natural selection adjusts distances between redox cofactors goes a long way towards encompassing natural electron transfer protein design. Distances are short or long as required to direct or insulate promiscuously tunneling single electrons. Along a chain, distances are usually 14 A or less. Shorter distances are needed to allow climbing of added energetic barriers at paired-electron catalytic centers in which substrate and the required number of cofactors form a compact cluster. When there is a short-circuit danger, distances between shorting centers are relatively long. Distances much longer than 14 A will support only very slow electron tunneling, but could act as high impedance signals useful in regulation. Tunneling simulations of the respiratory complexes provide clear illustrations of this simple engineering.

Possibility of transkingdom gene therapy for Complex I diseases

Defects of complex I are involved in many human mitochondrial diseases, and therefore we have proposed to use the NDI1 gene encoding a single subunit NADH dehydrogenase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for repair of respiratory activity. The yeast NDI1 gene was successfully introduced into mammalian cell lines. The expressed NDI1 protein was correctly targeted to the matrix side of the inner mitochondrial membranes, was fully functional and restored the NADH oxidase activity to the complex I-deficient cells. The NDI1-transduced cells were more resistant to complex I inhibitors and diminished production of reactive oxygen species induced by rotenone. It was further shown that the NDI1 protein can be functionally expressed in tissues such as skeletal muscles and the brain of rodents, which scarcely induced an inflammatory response. The use of NDI1 as a potential molecular therapy for complex I-deficient diseases is briefly discussed, including the proposed animal model.

Structure of the hydrophilic domain of respiratory complex I from Thermus thermophilus

Respiratory complex I plays a central role in cellular energy production in bacteria and mitochondria. Its dysfunction is implicated in many human neurodegenerative diseases, as well as in aging. The crystal structure of the hydrophilic domain (peripheral arm) of complex I from Thermus thermophilus has been solved at 3.3 angstrom resolution. This subcomplex consists of eight subunits and contains all the redox centers of the enzyme, including nine iron-sulfur clusters. The primary electron acceptor, flavin-mononucleotide, is within electron transfer distance of cluster N3, leading to the main redox pathway, and of the distal cluster N1a, a possible antioxidant. The structure reveals new aspects of the mechanism and evolution of the enzyme. The terminal cluster N2 is coordinated, uniquely, by two consecutive cysteines. The novel subunit Nqo15 has a similar fold to the mitochondrial iron chaperone frataxin, and it may be involved in iron-sulfur cluster regeneration in the complex.

Cluster N1 of complex I from Yarrowia lipolytica studied by pulsed EPR spectroscopy

After reduction with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) of the strictly aerobic yeast Yarrowia lipolytica shows clear signals from five different paramagnetic iron-sulfur (FeS) clusters (N1-N5) which can be detected using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The ligand environment and the assignment of several FeS clusters to specific binding motifs found in several subunits of the complex are still under debate. In order to characterize the hyperfine interaction of the surrounding nuclei with FeS cluster N1, one- and two-dimensional electron spin echo envelope modulation experiments were performed at a temperature of 30 K. At this temperature only cluster N1 contributes to the overall signal in a pulsed EPR experiment. The hyperfine and quadrupole tensors of a nitrogen nucleus and the isotropic and dipolar hyperfine couplings of two sets of protons could be determined by numerical simulation of the one- and two-dimensional spectra. The values obtained are in perfect agreement with a ferredoxin-like binding structure by four cysteine amino acid residues and allow the assignment of the nitrogen couplings to a backbone nitrogen nucleus and the proton couplings to the beta-protons of the bound cysteine residues.

A nhaD Na+/H+ antiporter and a pcd homologues are among the Rhodothermus marinus complex I genes

The NADH:menaquinone oxidoreductase (Nqo) is one of the enzymes present in the respiratory chain of the thermohalophilic bacterium Rhodothermus marinus. The genes coding for the R. marinus Nqo subunits were isolated and sequenced, clustering in two operons [nqo1 to nqo7 (nqoA) and nqo10 to nqo14 (nqoB)] and two independent genes (nqo8 and nqo9). Unexpectedly, two genes encoding homologues of a NhaD Na+/H+ antiporter (NhaD) and of a pterin-4alpha-carbinolamine dehydratase (PCD) were identified within nqoB, flanked by nqo13 and nqo14. Eight conserved motives to harbour iron-sulphur centres are identified in the deduced primary structures, as well as two consensus sequences to bind nucleotides, in this case NADH and FMN. Moreover, the open-reading-frames of the putative NhaD and PCD were shown to be co-transcribed with the other complex I genes encoded by nqoB. The possible role of these two genes in R. marinus complex I is discussed.

Activation of isolated NADH:ubiquinone reductase I (complex I) from Escherichia coli by detergent and phospholipids. Recovery of ubiquinone reductase activity and changes in EPR signals of iron-sulfur clusters

NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (NDH-1 or complex I) from Escherichia coli was purified using a combination of anion exchange chromatography and centrifugation in sucrose density gradient. The dependence of enzyme activity on detergent and phospholipids was studied. Artificial hexaammineruthenium reductase activity was not affected by dodecyl maltoside (DDM) and asolectin. Ubiquinone reductase activity had a bell-shape dependence on DDM concentration; 7-10-fold activation could be achieved. Treatment with asolectin subsequently yields additional 2-fold activation with a corresponding increase in the apparent V(max) and without significant changes in apparent K(m). Comparative EPR studies of complex I reduced with NADH, "as prepared" and "activated by asolectin" showed an increase in the signals derived mainly from two [4Fe-4S] clusters in the activated enzyme. One of these signals could be simulated with an axial spectrum with g values of g(xyz)= 1.895, 1.904, 2.05, which corresponds to the parameters reported for the N2 cluster. This data indicates conformational rearrangements of catalytic importance in complex I upon binding of phospholipids.

Organization of iron-sulfur clusters in respiratory complex I

Complex I of respiratory chains plays a central role in bioenergetics and is implicated in many human neurodegenerative diseases. An understanding of its mechanism requires a knowledge of the organization of redox centers. The arrangement of iron-sulfur clusters in the hydrophilic domain of complex I from Thermus thermophilus has been determined with the use of x-ray crystallography. One binuclear and six tetranuclear clusters are arranged, maximally 14 angstroms apart, in an 84-angstrom-long electron transfer chain. The binuclear cluster N1a and the tetranuclear cluster N7 are not in this pathway. Cluster N1a may play a role in the prevention of oxidative damage. The structure provides a framework for the interpretation of the large amounts of data accumulated on complex I.

Amino acid residues associated with cluster N3 in the NuoF subunit of the proton-translocating NADH-quinone oxidoreductase fromEscherichia coli

The NuoF subunit, which harbors NADH-binding site, of Escherichia coli NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (NDH-1) contains five conserved cysteine residues, four of which are predicted to ligate cluster N3. To determine this coordination, we overexpressed and purified the NuoF subunit and NuoF+E subcomplex in E. coli. We detected two distinct EPR spectra, arising from a [4Fe-4S] cluster (g(x,y,z)=1.90, 1.95, and 2.05) in NuoF, and a [2Fe-2S] cluster (g(x,y,z)=1.92, 1.95, and 2.01) in NuoE subunit. These clusters were assigned to clusters N3 and N1a, respectively. Based on the site-directed mutagenesis experiments, we identified that cluster N3 is ligated to the 351Cx2Cx2Cx40C398 motif.

Characterization of the membrane domain subunit NuoJ (ND6) of the NADH-quinone oxidoreductase from Escherichia coli by chromosomal DNA manipulation

The ND6 subunit is one of seven mitochondrial DNA-encoded subunits of the proton-translocating NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (complex I). Physiological importance of the ND6 subunit is becoming increasingly apparent because a number of mutations leading to amino acid changes in this subunit have been found to be associated with known mitochondrial diseases. Using the Escherichia coli enzyme (NDH-1), we have investigated the NuoJ subunit (the E. coli counterpart of ND6) by employing a chromosomal DNA manipulation technique. A series of point mutations was constructed directly on the nuoJ gene in the chromosome targeting at highly conserved residues. Analyses with blue-native gel electrophoresis and immunological methods revealed that, in all point mutants, the assembly of NDH-1 was normal and that the deamino-NADH-K(3)Fe(CN)(6) reductase activity of the membrane was essentially the same as that of the wild-type. However, energy-coupled NDH-1 activities were affected to varied extents. Among them, mutants of the Val-65 residue that is located in the most conserved transmembrane segment significantly lost the coupled electron-transfer activities and exhibited diminished membrane potential and proton translocation. This may suggest that Val-65 or the area around it is important for energy transduction of the coupling site 1. Together with the results on mutations related to human diseases, possible functional roles of the NuoJ subunit have been discussed.