Mutations in mitochondrial complex III uniquely affect complex I in Caenorhabditis elegans.
Mitochondrial supercomplexes containing complexes I, III, and IV of the electron transport chain are now regarded as an established entity. Supercomplex I·III·IV has been theorized to improve respiratory chain function by allowing quinone channeling between complexes I and III. Here, we show that the role of the supercomplexes extends beyond channeling. Mutant analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans reveals that complex III affects supercomplex I·III·IV formation by acting as an assembly or stabilizing factor. Also, a complex III mtDNA mutation, ctb-1, inhibits complex I function by weakening the interaction of complex IV in supercomplex I·III·IV. Other complex III mutations inhibit complex I function either by decreasing the amount of complex I (isp-1), or decreasing the amount of complex I in its most active form, the I·III·IV supercomplex (isp-1;ctb-1). ctb-1 suppresses a nuclear encoded complex III defect, isp-1, without improving complex III function. Allosteric interactions involve all three complexes within the supercomplex and are necessary for maximal enzymatic activities.
Department of Genetics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.
Wichit
W
Suthammarak
Phil G
PG
Morgan
Margaret M
MM
Sedensky
D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D042967:Electron Transport Complex I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014450:Electron Transport Complex III / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D018509:DNA, Helminth; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D042967:Electron Transport Complex I; D014450:Electron Transport Complex III