NDUFA4 is a subunit of complex IV of the mammalian electron transport chain.
The oxidative phosphorylation system is one of the best-characterized metabolic pathways. In mammals, the protein components and X-ray structures are defined for all complexes except complex I. Here, we show that NDUFA4, formerly considered a constituent of NADH Dehydrogenase (CI), is instead a component of the cytochrome c oxidase (CIV). Deletion of NDUFA4 does not perturb CI. Rather, proteomic, genetic, evolutionary, and biochemical analyses reveal that NDUFA4 plays a role in CIV function and biogenesis. The change in the attribution of the NDUFA4 protein requires renaming of the gene and reconsideration of the structure of CIV. Furthermore, NDUFA4 should be considered a candidate gene for CIV rather than CI deficiencies in humans.
Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III, Madrid, 28029, Spain.
Eduardo
E
Balsa
Ricardo
R
Marco
Ester
E
Perales-Clemente
Radek
R
Szklarczyk
Enrique
E
Calvo
Manuel O
MO
Landázuri
José Antonio
JA
Enríquez
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D004586:Electrophoresis; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D010085:Oxidative Phosphorylation; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000235:genetics*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
D021122:Protein Subunits; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; C577147:NDUFA4 protein, human