Succinate-ubiquinone Reductase Activity Research Articles

Succinate Ubiquinone Reductase Activity Predicts Multiple Myeloma Sensitivity to Venetoclax

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy estimated to account for 12,590 deaths and 30,280 new diagnoses in the US in 2017. Despite the use of next generation immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), proteasome inhibitors and newer targeted therapies, the development of chemo-resistant MM is common, with approximately 20% of patients succumbing to aggressive treatment-refractory disease within a short period of diagnosis. Resistance is primarily associated with evasion of apoptosis connected to the inability to release sufficient pro-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins above a threshold required to elicit apoptosis. Thus, finding alternative strategies to shift a resistant cell closer to the apoptotic threshold could potentially circumvent resistance.Metabolites contribute to the development of resistance to apoptosis by regulating pro and anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family members. We previously reported that depriving cells of glutamine enhanced binding of BIM to BCL-2 thereby sensitizing myeloma cell lines and patient samples to the BH3 mimetic venetoclax (ABT-199), a highly selective, potent BCL-2 antagonist. ABT-199 is however effective only in 40% of MM patients exhibiting the (11;14) translocation, warranting investigation of strategies to increase the applicability of ABT-199. We were interested to explore if there were metabolic differences in ABT-199 sensitive t(11;14) and resistant cells that could inform us of a) predictors of sensitivity; and b) metabolic targets that could be inhibited to sensitize resistant cells to ABT-199.Given that, tumor cells differentially rely on glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation we first evaluated oxygen consumption rates (OCR) in ABT-199 sensitive and resistant MM lines. All ABT-199 sensitive lines exhibited lower OCR in contrast to the resistant lines. Metabolite profiling and isotope tracing flux analyses of glutamine deprived myeloma cell lines revealed specific reduction of TCA cycle metabolites including succinate. TCA cycle intermediates are linked to mitochondrial respiration via electron transport chain (ETC) complexes (I-V). Among the five ETC complexes, only Complex II/succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) is directly connected to the TCA cycle and ETC. SDH facilitates the oxidation of succinate to fumarate in the TCA cycle through its subunit SDHA, and transfers the released electrons to ubiquinone via its SDHB, C and D subunits supporting the succinate ubiquinone reductase (SQR) activity of Complex II. Therefore, we sought to further interrogate succinate dehydrogenase in facilitating ABT-199 sensitization. We evaluated SDH ubiquinone reductase activity in ABT-199 sensitive and resistant myeloma lines and demonstrated that all ABT-199 sensitive cell lines had significantly lower SQR activity. Furthermore, inhibition of the SDH ubiquinone reductase with the Qp site inhibitor thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA) sensitized resistant MM cells to ABT-199. Inhibition of Complex I with piericidin or the SDHA subunit with 3-NPA were not as effective in sensitizing MM to ABT-199. Protein expression and co-immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated an induction of BIM and enhanced BIM-BCL-2 binding upon SDH inhibition with TTFA. TTFA treated cells exhibited a reduction of FOXO3a phosphorylation and concomitant nuclear localization upon SDH inhibition suggestive of FOXO3a playing a role in BIM induction. TTFA + ABT-199 co-treatment induced apoptosis in ABT-199 resistant myeloma patient cells without impacting viability of the associated normal populations.Our study thus identifies a tumor selective approach of metabolically-driven synthetic lethality that relies on inhibition of the mitochondrial enzyme SDH and use of the BCL-2 antagonist, ABT-199 for myeloma therapy. In addition, our results importantly suggest SDH activity predicts ABT-199 sensitivity and can be interrogated in MM patients as a predictive marker of ABT-199 sensitivity particularly within t(11;14) patients currently being enrolled for ABT-199 treatment. DisclosuresNooka:Amgen, Novartis, Spectrum, Adaptive: Consultancy. Boise:Abbvie: Consultancy; Eli Lilly and Company: Research Funding.

Electron transport chain activity is a predictor and target for venetoclax sensitivity in multiple myeloma

The BCL-2 antagonist venetoclax is highly effective in multiple myeloma (MM) patients exhibiting the 11;14 translocation, the mechanistic basis of which is unknown. In evaluating cellular energetics and metabolism of t(11;14) and non-t(11;14) MM, we determine that venetoclax-sensitive myeloma has reduced mitochondrial respiration. Consistent with this, low electron transport chain (ETC) Complex I and Complex II activities correlate with venetoclax sensitivity. Inhibition of Complex I, using IACS-010759, an orally bioavailable Complex I inhibitor in clinical trials, as well as succinate ubiquinone reductase (SQR) activity of Complex II, using thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA) or introduction of SDHC R72C mutant, independently sensitize resistant MM to venetoclax. We demonstrate that ETC inhibition increases BCL-2 dependence and the ‘primed’ state via the ATF4-BIM/NOXA axis. Further, SQR activity correlates with venetoclax sensitivity in patient samples irrespective of t(11;14) status. Use of SQR activity in a functional-biomarker informed manner may better select for MM patients responsive to venetoclax therapy.

Abstract 2715: Deciphering a metabolic basis for single-agent venetoclax efficacy in t(11;14) multiple myeloma

Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic malignancy. In 2017, MM accounted for approximately 30,770 new diagnoses and 12770 deaths in the US. Although, advancements in treatment options have increased survival rates and life expectancy, MM remains incurable due to development of resistance. Venetoclax is a highly selective, potent BCL-2 antagonist, currently in phase I/II trials for MM and FDA approved for the treatment of CLL patients exhibiting 17p deletion. Venetoclax is effective in eliciting cell death as a single agent in a subset of MM with the (11;14) translocation (which we henceforth designate “sensitive”) in contrast to the majority of MM that is resistant (which we henceforth designate “resistant”). We previously reported that glutamine deprivation increases BIM binding to BCL-2 thereby sensitizing MM to venetoclax, while alpha-ketoglutarate supplementation reversed this sensitivity. We were therefore interested to explore if there was a metabolic basis for t(11;14)-myeloma sensitivity to single agent venetoclax to aid in 1) identifying venetoclax sensitive MM and; 2) inform us of metabolic targets that could be inhibited to sensitize resistant MM to venetoclax. We first queried the CoMMpass MM patient RNAseq trial data and cell lines for electron transport chain (ETC) and TCA cycle gene expression differences in t(11;14) vs non-t(11;14) patients and cell lines. All sensitive cells exhibited varied suppression of TCA/ETC genes, and reduced TCA cycle metabolites and oxygen consumption rates (OCR) compared to resistant cells. Examination of TCA cycle activities connected to the ETC and OCR showed significant decrease in Complex II Succinate ubiquinone reductase (SQR) activity in sensitive cell lines and purified CD38+ve MM patient cells and elevated SQR activity in resistant cells. Furthermore, inhibition of SQR with thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA) sensitized resistant cells to venetoclax. Consistent with SQR inhibition leading to ABT-199 sensitivity, overexpression of an SQR mutant (SDHCR72C) in SDHC-knockout resistant MM, increased venetoclax sensitivity, identifying a unique role for SQR in regulating BCL-2 dependence. In interrogating the mechanistic underpinnings of SQR inhibition-induced sensitivity to venetoclax, we identified increased expression of ATF4 and BIM upon SQR inhibition. ATF4KD or BIMKO restored viability in TTFA and venetoclax co-treated MM further confirming the role of SQR inhibition-induced ATF4 and BIM in venetoclax sensitivity. In testing translationally relevant compounds, we determined that the histone deacetylase inhibitor, panobinostat reduced SQR activity in a dose dependent manner and sensitized MM cells to venetoclax. Our study thus identifies SQR as a novel target and predictive marker to aid in identifying ABT-199-responsive MM patients in a functional biomarker informed manner. Citation Format: Richa Bajpai, Abhinav Achreja, Changyong Wei, Arusha Siddiqa, Shannon M. Matulis, Vikas Gupta, Samuel K. McBrayer, Anjali Mittal, Manali Rupji, Hsiao-Rong Chen, Jeanne Kowalski, Sagar Lonial, Ajay K. Nooka, Lawrence H. Boise, Deepak Nagrath, Mala Shanmugam. Deciphering a metabolic basis for single-agent venetoclax efficacy in t(11;14) multiple myeloma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2715.

Inhibition of Mitochondrial Complex II by the Anticancer Agent Lonidamine

The antitumor agent lonidamine (LND; 1-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid) is known to interfere with energy-yielding processes in cancer cells. However, the effect of LND on central energy metabolism has never been fully characterized. In this study, we report that a significant amount of succinate is accumulated in LND-treated cells. LND inhibits the formation of fumarate and malate and suppresses succinate-induced respiration of isolated mitochondria. Utilizing biochemical assays, we determined that LND inhibits the succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity of respiratory complex II without fully blocking succinate dehydrogenase activity. LND also induces cellular reactive oxygen species through complex II, which reduced the viability of the DB-1 melanoma cell line. The ability of LND to promote cell death was potentiated by its suppression of the pentose phosphate pathway, which resulted in inhibition of NADPH and glutathione generation. Using stable isotope tracers in combination with isotopologue analysis, we showed that LND increased glutaminolysis but decreased reductive carboxylation of glutamine-derived α-ketoglutarate. Our findings on the previously uncharacterized effects of LND may provide potential combinational therapeutic approaches for targeting cancer metabolism.

Direct evidence for expression of Type II flavoprotein subunit in human complex II (succinate-ubiquinone reductase)

Succinate-ubiquinone reductase (complex II) is an important enzyme complex in aerobic respiration and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. We recently identified two distinct cDNAs for the human flavoprotein subunit (Fp) from a single individual and demonstrated mRNAs of these two isoforms, Type I Fp and Type II Fp, in skeletal muscle, liver, brain, heart, and kidney. Type I Fp was expressed at higher levels than Type II Fp in all cases. In the present study, the biochemical properties of Type II Fp-containing complex II in Raji cells predominantly expressing Type II Fp were investigated. Complex II having Type II Fp was separated from that having Type I Fp by isoelectric focusing in the presence of sucrose monolaurate. Together with the fact that succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity of mitochondria prepared from Raji cell was almost identical to that from human liver, these results clearly indicate the presence of two distinct isoforms of active complex II in human mitochondria.

Complex II from phototrophic purple bacterium Rhodoferax fermentans displays rhodoquinol-fumarate reductase activity.

It has long been accepted that bacterial quinol-fumarate reductase (QFR) generally uses a low-redox-potential naphthoquinone, menaquinone (MK), as the electron donor, whereas mitochondrial QFR from facultative and anaerobic eukaryotes uses a low-redox-potential benzoquinone, rhodoquinone (RQ), as the substrate. In the present study, we purified novel complex II from the RQ-containing phototrophic purple bacterium, Rhodoferax fermentans that exhibited high rhodoquinol-fumarate reductase activity in addition to succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity. SDS/PAGE indicated that the purified R. fermentans complex II comprises four subunits of 64.0, 28.6, 18.7 and 17.5 kDa and contains 1.3 nmol heme per mg protein. Phylogenetic analysis and comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of R. fermentans complex II with pro/eukaryotic complex II indicate that the structure and the evolutional origins of R. fermentans complex II are closer to bacterial SQR than to mitochondrial rhodoquinol-fumarate reductase. The results strongly indicate that R. fermentans complex II and mitochondrial QFR might have evolved independently, although they both utilize RQ for fumarate reduction.

Atpenins, potent and specific inhibitors of mitochondrial complex II (succinate-ubiquinone oxidoreductase).

Enzymes in the mitochondrial respiratory chain are involved in various physiological events in addition to their essential role in the production of ATP by oxidative phosphorylation. The use of specific and potent inhibitors of complex I (NADH-ubiquinone reductase) and complex III (ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase), such as rotenone and antimycin, respectively, has allowed determination of the role of these enzymes in physiological processes. However, unlike complexes I, III, and IV (cytochrome c oxidase), there are few potent and specific inhibitors of complex II (succinate-ubiquinone reductase) that have been described. In this article, we report that atpenins potently and specifically inhibit the succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity of mitochondrial complex II. Therefore, atpenins may be useful tools for clarifying the biochemical and structural properties of complex II, as well as for determining its physiological roles in mammalian tissues.

The Quinone-binding Site in Succinate-ubiquinone Reductase fromEscherichia coli: QUINONE-BINDING DOMAIN AND AMINO ACID RESIDUES INVOLVED IN QUINONE BINDING

When purified ubiquinone (Q)-depleted succinate-ubiquinone reductase from Escherichia coli is photoaffinity-labeled with 3-azido-2-methyl-5-methoxy-[3H]6-geranyl-1,4-benzoquinone ([3H]azido-Q) followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, radioactivity is found in the SdhC subunit, indicating that this subunit is responsible for ubiquinone binding. An [3H]azido-Q-linked peptide, with a retention time of 61.7 min, is obtained by high performance liquid chromatography of the protease K digest of [3H]azido-Q-labeled SdhC obtained from preparative SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis on labeled reductase. The partial N-terminal amino acid sequence of this peptide is NH2-TIRFPITAIASILHRVS-, corresponding to residues 17-33. The ubiquinone-binding domain in the proposed structural model of SdhC, constructed based on the hydropathy plot of the deduced amino acid sequence of this protein, is located at the N-terminal end toward the transmembrane helix I. To identify amino acid residues responsible for ubiquinone binding, substitution mutations at the putative ubiquinone-binding region of SdhC were generated and characterized. E. coli NM256 lacking genomic succinate-Q reductase genes was constructed and used to harbor the mutated succinate-Q reductase genes in a low copy number pRKD418 plasmid. Substitution of serine 27 of SdhC with alanine, cysteine, or threonine or substitution of arginine 31 with alanine, lysine, or histidine yields cells unable to grow aerobically in minimum medium with succinate as carbon source. Furthermore, little succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity and [3H]azido-Q uptake are detected in succinate-ubiquinone reductases prepared from these mutant cells grown aerobically in LB medium. These results indicate that the hydroxyl group, the size of the amino acid side chain at position 27, and the guanidino group at position 31 of SdhC are critical for succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity, perhaps by formation of hydrogen bonds with carbonyl groups of the 1,4-benzoquinone ring of the quinone molecule. The hydroxyl group, but not the size of the amino acid side chain, at position 33 of SdhC is also important, because Ser-33 can be substituted with threonine but not with alanine.

Resolution and Reconstitution of Succinate-Ubiquinone Reductase from Escherichia coli

A modified procedure is developed for isolation of highly purified succinate-ubiquinone reductase from Escherichia coli NM256 containing a cloned sdh operon in a multicopy plasmid. Succinate-ubiquinone reductase is solubilized from the membrane by polyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether and purified by DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B column chromatography. The isolated reductase is resolved into a reconstitutively active, two-subunit succinate dehydrogenase and a two-subunit membrane anchoring protein fraction (the SdhC-SdhD fraction) by alkaline (pH 10.2) treatment of the reductase in the presence of 1 M urea, followed by DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B column chromatography under anaerobic conditions. Isolated succinate dehydrogenase and the SdhC-SdhD fraction alone show no succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity. However, when a given amount of the SdhC-SdhD fraction is mixed with varying amounts of succinate dehydrogenase or vice versa succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity increases as the amount of succinate dehydrogenase or the SdhC-SdhD fraction added increases. Maximum reconstitution is obtained when the weight ratio of succinate dehydrogenase to the SdhC-SdhD fraction reaches 5.26. This ratio is slightly higher than the calculated value of 3.37, obtained by assuming 1 mol of succinate dehydrogenase reacts with 1 mol of SdhC and SdhD. The isolated SdhC-SdhD fraction contains 35 nmol cytochrome b556/mg protein. Unlike mitochondrial cytochrome b560, the cytochrome b556 is reducible by succinate in the isolated and complex forms. Furthermore, cytochrome b556 in the isolated SdhC-SdhD fraction has absorption properties, carbon monoxide reactivity, and EPR characteristics similar to those of cytochrome b556 in intact succinate-ubiquinone reductase, indicating that its heme environments are not affected by the presence of succinate dehydrogenase. However, the redox potential of cytochrome b556 in the SdhC-SdhD fraction (22 mV) increases slightly when complexed with succinate dehydrogenase (34 mV). No hybrid succinate-ubiquinone reductase is formed from mitochondrial QPs (the membrane-anchoring protein fraction of bovine heart mitochondrial succinate-ubiquinone reductase) and E. coli succinate dehydrogenase or vice versa. However, the cytochrome b556 in E. coli SdhC-SdhD fraction is reducible by succinate in the presence of mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase, and the rate of cytochrome b556 reduction correlates with the reconstitutive activity of the mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase.

Subunit 8 of theSaccharomyces cerevisiae cytochromebc 1 complex interacts with succinate-ubiquinone reductase complex

We have investigated the function of subunit 8 of the cytochrome bc1 complex by generating six site-directed mutants, F46C, R51S, P62V, G64A, R91N, and W69-stop, in the cloned QCR8 gene and expressing the mutated genes in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain in which the chromosomal copy of QCR8 is deleted. The W69-stop mutation impairs assembly of the bc1 complex and growth of yeast on nonfermentable carbon sources as does deletion of QCR8 [Maarse, A. C., De Haan, M., Schoppink, P. J., Berden J. A., and Grivell, L. A. (1988) Eur. J. Biochem. 172, 179-184], implying that the C-terminus of subunit 8 is important for assembly and/or the stability of the bc1 complex. The F46C, R51S, P62V, G64A, and R91N mutations do not affect the growth of yeast on nonfermentable carbon sources, not do they lower the activity or alter the inhibitor sensitivity of the bc1 complex. Rather, some of the mutations increase the cytochrome C reductase activity of the bc1 complex by as much as 40%. However, succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity was consistently reduced 40-60% in mitochondrial membranes from these mutants, while NADH-ubiquinone reductase activity was not affected. In addition, the activation of succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity by succinate was diminished by the F46C, R51S, P62V, and G64A mutations. These results indicate that the cytochrome bc1 complex participates in electron transfer from succinate to ubiquinone in situ and also suggest an interaction between succinate-ubiquinone reductase and cytochrome bc1 complex which involves subunit 8 of the bc1 complex.

Farnesylacetone, a sesquiterpenic hormone of crustacea, inhibits electron transport in isolated rat liver mitochondria

Farnesylacetone (C18 H30 0) is a male hormone extracted from the androgenic gland of crab, Carcinus maenas. Appropriate enzymatic assays, as well as spectrophotometric studies, indicate that micromolar concentrations of farnesylacetone interact with the electron transport pathway of rat liver mitochondria. By the use of artificial electron donors and electron acceptors, it is shown that farnesylacetone immediately inhibits the electron transfer within complex I (NADH ubiquinone reductase activity) and complex II (succinate ubiquinone reductase activity). It is proposed that farneylacetone could interact with these two complexes of the respiratory chain at the level of the iron-sulfur centers implicated in the dehydrogenase activities. These observations are compared with the results obtained with terpenic molecules which interact with mitochondrial respiration.

Farnesylacetone, a sesquiterpenic hormone of crustacea, inhibits electron transport in isolated rat liver mitochondria

Farnesylacetone (C18 H30 0) is a male hormone extracted from the androgenic gland of crab, Carcinus maenas. Appropriate enzymatic assays, as well as spectrophotometric studies, indicate that micromolar concentrations of farnesylacetone interact with the electron transport pathway of rat liver mitochondria. By the use of artificial electron donors and electron acceptors, it is shown that farnesylacetone immediately inhibits the electron transfer within complex I (NADH ubiquinone reductase activity) and complex II (succinate ubiquinone reductase activity). It is proposed that farnesylacetone could interact with these two complexes of the respiratory chain at the level of the iron-sulfur centers implicated in the dehydrogenase activities. These observations are compared with the results obtained with terpenic molecules which interact with mitochondrial respiration.

Purification and properties of succinate-ubiquinone oxidoreductase complex from Paracoccus denitrificans

Highly active succinate-ubiquinone reductase has been purified from cytoplasmic membranes of aerobically grown Paracoccus denitrificans. The purified enzyme has a specific activity of 100 units per mg protein, and a turnover number of 305 s −1. Succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity of the purified enzyme is inhibited by 3′-methylcar☐in and thenoyltrifluoroacetone. Four subunits, with apparent molecular masses of 64.9, 28.9 13.4 and 12.5 kDa, were observed on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme contains 5.62 nmol covalently bound flavin and 3.79 nmol cytochrome b per mg protein. The 64.9 kDa subunit was shown to be a flavoprotein by its fluorescence. Polyclonal antibodies raised against this protein cross-reacted with the flavoprotein subunit of bovine heart mitochondrial succinate-ubiquinone reductase. The 28.9 kDa subunit is likely analogous to the bovine heart iron protein, and the cytochrome b heme is probably associated with one or both of the low-molecular-weight polypeptides. The cytochrome b is not reducible with succinate but is reoxidized with fumarate after prereduction with dithionite. Iron-sulfur clusters S-1 and S-3 of the Paracoccus oxidoreductase exhibit EPR spectra very similar to their mitochondrial counterparts. Paracoccus succinate-ubiquinone reductase complex is thus similar to the bovine heart mitochondrial enzyme with respect to prosthetic groups, enzymatic activity, inhibitor sensitivities, and polypeptide subunit composition.

Involvement of a carboxyl group in the interaction between succinate dehydrogenase and its membrane-anchoring protein (QPs) fraction.

The involvement of the carboxyl groups in the membrane-anchoring protein (QPs) in reconstitution of succinate dehydrogenase to form succinate-ubiquinone reductase is studied by using a carboxyl group modifying reagent, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD). Inactivation of QPs by DCCD is found to be dependent on the temperature, pH, detergent, and DCCD concentration used. When QPs is treated with 300 molar excess DCCD at room temperature for 10 min, about 90% of the original reconstitutive activity is lost. When intact or reconstituted succinate-ubiquinone reductase formed from reconstitutively active succinate dehydrogenase and QPs is treated with DCCD under the same conditions, no loss of succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity is observed. However, when a mixture of reconstitutively inactive succinate dehydrogenase and QPs is treated with DCCD before being reconstituted with active succinate dehydrogenase, an inactivation behavior similar to that with QPs alone is observed. These results indicate that DCCD modifies the carboxyl groups of QPs which are essential for the interaction with succinate dehydrogenase to form succinate-ubiquinone reductase. Inactivation of QPs by DCCD parallels the incorporation of DCCD into QPs. About two carboxyl groups per molecule of QPs are essential for the interaction with succinate dehydrogenase. These essential carboxyl groups are located in the smaller subunit (Mr 13,000) of QPs. Modification of QPs by DCCD also alters the heme environment of cytochrome b560.

An antimycin-insensitive succinate-cytochrome c reductase activity in pure reconstitutively active succinate dehydrogenase

Antimycin-insensitive succinate-cytochrome c reductase activity has been detected in pure, reconstitutively active succinate dehydrogenase. The enzyme catalyzes electron transfer from succinate to cytochrome c at a rate of 0.7 μmole succinate oxidized per min per mg protein, in the presence of 100 μM cytochrome c. This activity, which is about 2% of that of reconstitutive (the ability of succinate dehydrogenase to reconstitute with coenzyme ubiquinone-binding proteins (QPs) to form succinate-ubiquinone reductase) or succinate-phenazine methosulfate activity in the preparation, differs from antimycin-insensitive succinate-cytochrome c reductase activity detected in submitochondrial particles or isolated succinate-cytochrome c reductase. The K m for cytochrome c for the former is too high to be measured. The K m for the latter is about 4.4 μM, similar to that of antimycin-sensitive succinate-cytochrome c activity in isolated succinate-cytochrome c reductase, suggesting that antimycin-insensitive succinate-cytochrome c activity of succinate-cytochrome c reductase probably results from incomplete inhibition by antimycin. Like reconstitutive activity of succinate dehydrogenase, the antimycin-insensitive succinate-cytochrome c activity of succinate dehydrogenase is sensitive to oxygen; the half-life is about 20 min at 0°C at a protein concentration of 23 mg/ml. In the presence of QPs, the antimycin-insensitive succinate-cytochrome c activity of succinate dehydrogenase disappears and at the same time a thenoyltrifluoroacetone-sensitive succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity appears. This suggests that antimycin-insensitive succinate-cytochrome c reductase activity of succinate dehydrogenase appears when succinate dehydrogenase is detached from the membrane or from QPs. Reconstitutively active succinate dehydrogenase oxidizes succinate using succinylated cytochrome c as electron acceptor, suggesting that a low potential intermediate (radical) may be involved. This suggestion is confirmed by the detection of an unknown radical by spin trapping techniques. When a spin trap, α-phenyl- N- tert-butylnitrone (PBN), is added to a succinate oxidizing system containing reconstitutively active succinate dehydrogenase, a PBN spin adduct is generated. Although this PBN spin adduct is identical to that generated by xanthine oxidase, indicating that a perhydroxy radical might be involved, the insensitivity of this antimycin-insensitive succinate-cytochrome c reductase activity to superoxide dismutase and oxygen questions the nature of this observed radical.

Inhibitory effect of α-tocopherol and its derivatives on bovine heart succinate-cytochrome c reductase

α-Tocopherol and its derivatives inhibit succinate-cytochrome c reductase activity at a concentration of 0.5 μmol/mg protein in 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, containing 0.4 % sodium cholate when α-tocopherol is predispersed in sodium cholate solution. The inhibitory site is located at the cytochrome b- c 1 region. Succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity of succinate-cytochrome c reductase was not impaired by treatment with α-tocopherol. The α-tocopherol-inhibited succinate-cytochrome c reductase activity can be reversed by the addition of ubiquinone and its analogs. When ubiquinone- and phospholipid-depleted succinate-cytochrome c reductase was treated with α-tocopherol followed by reaction with a fixed amount of 2,3-dimethoxy-6-methyl-5-(10-bromodecyl)-1,4-benzoquinone and phospholipid, the amount of α-tocopherol needed to express the maximal inhibition was only 0.3 μmol/mg protein. When ubiquinone- and phospholipid-depleted enzyme was treated with a given amount of α-tocopherol and followed by titration with 2,3-dimethoxy-6-methyl-5-(10-bromodecyl)-1,4-benzoquinone, restoration of activity was enhanced at low concentrations of ubiquinone analog, indicating that α-tocopherol can serve as an effector for ubiquinone. The maximal binding capacity of α-[ 14C]tocopherol, dispersed in 50 mM phosphate buffer containing 0.25% sodium cholate, pH 7.4, to succinate-cytochrome c reductase was shown to be 0.68 μmol/mg protein. A similar binding capacity, based on cytochrome b content, was observed in submitochondrial particles. Binding of α-tocopherol to succinate-cytochrome c reductase not only caused an inhibition of enzymatic activity but also caused a reduction of cytochrome c 1 in the absence of substrate, a phenomenon analogous to the removal of phospholipids from the enzyme preparation. Furthermore, binding of α-tocopherol to succinate-cytochrome c reductase decreased the rate of reduction of cytochrome b by succinate. Since electron transfer from succinate to ubiquinone was not affected by α-tocopherol treatment, the decrease in reduction rate of cytochrome b by succinate must be due to a change in environment around cytochrome b. These results as well as the fact that reactivation of α-tocopherol-inhibited enzyme requires only low concentrations of ubiquinone were used to explain the inhibitory effect as a result of a change in protein conformation and protein-phospholipid interaction rather than the direct displacement of ubiquinone by α-tocopherol. This deduction was further supported by the fact that no ubiquinone was released from succinate-cytochrome c reductase upon treatment with α-tocopherol.

Interaction between succinate dehydrogenase and ubiquinone-binding protein from succinate-ubiquinone reductase

Purified ubiquinone-binding protein in succinate-ubiquinone reductase (QPs) reconstitutes with pure soluble succinate dehydrogenase to form succinate-ubiquinone oxidoreductase upon mixing of the two proteins in phosphate buffer at neutral pH. The maximal reconstitution was found with a weight ratio of succinate dehydrogenase to QPs of about 5, which is fairly close to the calculated value of 6.5, a value obtained by assuming one mole of QPs reacts with one mole of succinate dehydrogenase. Succinate-cytochrome c reductase was reconstituted when succinate dehydrogenase and QPs were added to Complex III or cytochrome b- c 1 III complex (a highly purified ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase). The reconstituted enzyme possessed kinetic parameters which were identical to those of the native enzyme complex. Interaction between QPs and succinate dehydrogenase resulted in the disappearance of low K m ferricyanide reductase activity from the latter. Unlike soluble succinate dehydrogenase, the reconstituted enzyme, as well as native succinate-cytochrome c reductase, reduced low concentration ferricyanide only in the presence of excess ubiquinone. The apparent K m for ubiquinone was 6 μM for reduction of ferricyanide (300 μM) by succinate, which is similar to the K m when ubiquinone was used as electron acceptor. When 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol was used as electron acceptor for reconstitution of succinate-ubiquinone reductase very little or no exogeneous ubiquinone was needed to show the maximal activity with QPs made by Method II, indicating that the bound ubiquinone in QPs is enough for enzymatic activity. In addition to restoring the succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity the interaction between QPs and succinate dehydrogenase not only stabilized succinate dehydrogenase but also partially deaggregated QPs. The reconstituted succinate-ubiquinone reductase had a minimal molecular weight of 120000 when the reconstituted system was dispersed in 0.2% Triton X-100. The maximal reconstitution was observed at neutral pH in phosphate buffer, Tris-acetate or Tris-phosphate buffer. Tris-HCl buffer, however, produced a less efficient reconstitution. These results indicate that the interaction between QPs and succinate dehydrogenase may involve some cationic group which has a high affinity for Cl −. Primary amino groups of QPs are not directly involved in the interaction as the reconstitution showed no significant difference when the amino groups of QPs were alkylated with fluorescamine. The Arrhenius plots of reconstituted succinate-ubiquinone reductase show that the enzyme catalyzes the reaction with an activation energy of 19.7 kcal/mol and 26.6 kcal/mol at temperatures above and below 26°C, respectively. These activation energies are similar to those obtained with native enzyme. The Arrhenius plots of the interaction between QPs and succinate dehydrogenase also have a break point at 26°C. The activation energy for this interaction was calculated to be 11.2 kcal/mol and 6.9 kcal/mol for the temperatures above and below the break-point. The significance of the difference in activation energies between the enzymatic reaction and the reconstitution reaction are further explored in the discussion.

Inhibition of electron transfer in the cytochromeb-c 1 segment of the mitochondrial respiratory chain by a synthetic analogue of ubiquinone

A synthetic analogue of ubiquinone, 5-n-undecyl-6-hydroxy-4,7-dioxobenzothiazole, inhibits oxidation of succinate and NADH-linked substrates by rat liver mitochondria. Inhibition occurs both in the presence (state 3) and absence (state 4) of ADP. With isolated succinate-cytochrome c reductase complex from bovine heart mitochondria the quinone analogue inhibits succinate-cytochrome c reductase and ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase activities but does not inhibit succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity. Inhibition of cytochrome c reductase activities is markedly dependent on pH in the range pH 7-8. At pH 7.0 inhibition occurs with an apparent Ki less than or equal to 1 x 10(-8) M, while at pH 8.0 the apparent Ki is more than an order of magnitude greater than this. Spectrophotometric titrations of 5-n-undecyl-6-hydroxy-4,7-dioxobenzothiazole show a visibly detectable pKa at pH 6.5 attributable to ionization of the 6-hydroxy group. These results indicate that this quinone derivative is a highly specific and potent inhibitor of electron transfer in the b-c1 segment of the respiratory chain. Because of the structural analogy, it is likely that the mechanism of inhibition involves disruption of normal ubiquinone function. In addition, this inhibition depends on protonation of the ionizable hydroxy group of the inhibitory analogue or on protonation of a function group in the b-c1 segment.

Diminished inhibition of succinate-cytochrome [formula omitted] reductase activity of resolved reductase complex by thenoyltrifluoroacetone in the presence of antimycin

Antimycin, when added to resolved succinate-cytochrome c reductase complex in amounts sufficient to partially inhibit succinate-cytochrome c reductase activity, causes a decrease in inhibition of the residual succinate-cytochrome c reductase activity by 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone. Antimycin has no effect on the inhibition of succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity by 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone. We propose that antimycin increases the steady state concentration of ubisemiquinone in the reductase complex, and that 2-thenoyltrifluoracetone is competitive with ubisemiquinone.

Spectral and reconstitution properties of cytochromes b in complexes II and III

Summary The mitochondrial electron transport system contains 2, and possibly 3, types of cytochrome b . The different spectral properties of cytochromes b in complexes II and III are described. Succinate dehydrogenase combines with the cytochrome b -rich fraction of complex II to reconstitute succinate-ubiquinone reductase activity, but does not do so when added to complex III which is another cytochrome b -rich fraction of the respiratory chain.