This research program describes the structure/function of the membrane-bound respiratory Complex II (succinate:ubiquinone oxidoreductase/succinate dehydrogenase) and its bacterial homologues. The long-term objectives of this research program are to describe mechanisms of electron transfer through the enzyme to/from flavin to quinones. Complex II has a number of redox centers involved in the electron transfer process. These include a covalently-bound FAD cofactor, three distinct iron- sulfur clusters, a membrane-bound quinone, and a b heme cofactor. With the exception of the b heme prosthetic group all of these redox centers are known as essential components of the electron transfer pathway. In mitochondria Complex II is an essential component of both the citric acid cycle and the membrane-bound electron transport chain. Specific mutations in Complex II contribute to disease including, tumor formation, neurodegeneration, cardiac dysfunction, and premature aging. The majority of these mutations structurally map to the quinone-binding domain of Complex II. The molecular mechanisms of how these defects contribute to disease are still not understood. The studies described in this application have three general aims. The first is designed to describe the essential components of the quinone-binding site of Complex II and how the architecture of this site influences catalytic activity. Complex II is an excellent model for these studies since it has the ability to interact with both ubi- and napthoquinones. Thus, using a series of site-directed mutants and kinetic assays, Fourier transform infrared and pulsed EPR spectroscopy, and x-ray crystallography the necessary components for the proper functioning of the quinone-binding site will be defined. Second, by using the technique of pulse radiolysis, in conjunction with other methods, we will determine rate constants for electron transfer between specific pairs of redox-active centers in both wild-type and mutant forms of Complex II. It is hypothesized that altered kinetics of electron transfer contribute to Complex II dysfunction, which in turn leads to a cascade of metabolic events leading to disease. Thus, the role of the various redox centers, including the b heme in electron transfer reactions will be defined.
The final aim i s to characterize conformational changes of Complex II upon interaction with other proteins. Recent findings show that the Complex II homologue quinol:fumarate oxidoreductase (QFR, fumarate reductase) interacts with FliG, a component of the bacterial flagellar switch complex. This interaction is important for controlling the direction of flagellar rotation and assembly. These studies will be accomplished by mutagenesis and kinetic assays of the enzyme, structural analysi of the QFR:FliG complex, and site-directed spin labeling EPR spectroscopy.
Complex II (succinate:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) is an essential metabolic component involved in mitochondrial metabolism. When Complex II does not function properly, this can lead to neurodegeneration, heart disease, and tumor formation. The studies described in this application are designed to understand how Complex II mutations (known to cause disease) affect the function of Complex II. These studies will also describe how Complex II interacts with other protein components in the cell using bacterial models for their mitochondrial counterparts. This may be important to show how protein complexes communicate with one another.
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