Comparison of energization of complex I in membrane particles from Paracoccus denitrificans and bovine heart mitochondria

Abstract

The results of preliminary studies of the effects of energization on the catalytic and EPR properties of complex I in tightly coupled membrane vesicles of Paracoccus denitrificans (SPP) are presented. They are compared to those observed in submitochondrial particles from bovine heart (SMP). All signs of energization of complex I detected by EPR in SMP (uncoupler-sensitive splitting of the g z lines of the clusters 2 and a broadening of their g xy lines, a fast-relaxing, piericidin-sensitive ubiquinone-radical signal, and a broad signal around g = 1.94) were also observed with the bacterial enzyme. There were some prominent differences, though. The signal of the fast-relaxing radicals could be evoked both in the presence or absence of reduced clusters 2, suggesting that enhancement of its spin-relaxation rate is caused by coupling to another paramagnet. The signal was hardly affected by the presence of gramicidin. The slow-relaxing radical signal did not disappear upon anaerobiosis, but was detectable for at least another 30 s. The fast-relaxing signal vanished immediately upon anaerobiosis. The activity of the bacterial enzyme during oxidation of NADH by oxygen or reduction of NAD induced by succinate oxidation, was 5–6 times higher than that of the mitochondrial enzyme. Unlike the mitochondrial enzyme, the bacterial enzyme was not inactivated by incubation at 35°C. The spin concentration of the NADH-reducible [2Fe–2S] cluster (1b) was half that of the clusters 2, indicating no difference with the mitochondrial enzyme.