Redox- and protonation-state driven substrate-protein dynamics in respiratory complex I

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Respiratory complex I is a key enzyme in the electron transport chains of mitochondria and bacteria. It transfers two electrons to quinone and couples this redox reaction to proton pumping to electrically charge the membrane it is embedded in. The charge and pH gradient across the membrane drives the synthesis of ATP. The redox reaction and proton pumping in complex I are separated in space and time, which raises the question of how the two reactions are coupled so efficiently. Here, we focus on the unique ∼35 Å long tunnel of complex I, which houses the binding site of quinone reduction. We discuss the redox and protonation reactions that occur in this tunnel and how they influence the dynamics of protein and substrate. On the basis of recent structural data and results from molecular simulations, we review how quinone reduction and dynamics may be coupled to proton pumping in complex I.