The mechanism of superoxide production by NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) from bovine heart mitochondria

Abstract

NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) is a major source of reactive oxygen species in mitochondria and a significant contributor to cellular oxidative stress. Here, we describe the kinetic and molecular mechanism of superoxide production by complex I isolated from bovine heart mitochondria and confirm that it produces predominantly superoxide, not hydrogen peroxide. Redox titrations and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy exclude the iron-sulfur clusters and flavin radical as the source of superoxide, and, in the absence of a proton motive force, superoxide formation is not enhanced during turnover. Therefore, superoxide is formed by the transfer of one electron from fully reduced flavin to O 2 . The resulting flavin radical is unstable, so the remaining electron is probably redistributed to the iron-sulfur centers. The rate of superoxide production is determined by a bimolecular reaction between O 2 and reduced flavin in an empty active site. The proportion of the flavin that is thus competent for reaction is set by a preequilibrium, determined by the dissociation constants of NADH and NAD + , and the reduction potentials of the flavin and NAD + . Consequently, the ratio and concentrations of NADH and NAD + determine the rate of superoxide formation. This result clearly links our mechanism for the isolated enzyme to studies on intact mitochondria, in which superoxide production is enhanced when the NAD + pool is reduced. Therefore, our mechanism forms a foundation for formulating causative connections between complex I defects and pathological effects.