Is a Q-cycle-like mechanism operative in dihaemic succinate:quinone and quinol:fumarate oxidoreductases?

FEBS Lett. 2003 May 22;543(1-3):1-4. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(03)00422-8.

Abstract

Succinate:quinone (SQR) and quinol:fumarate oxidoreductases (QFR) are members of the same enzyme family. These are membrane bound enzymes anchored to the membrane by one or two subunits that may contain two, one or no haems. For the dihaemic enzymes the electron pathway from the flavin at the catalytic centre to the quinones remains to be established. Taking into account that the two haems are located on opposite sites of the membrane, and the possible presence of two quinone binding sites, also located on opposite sides of the membrane, we re-hypothesise the presence of a Q-cycle type mechanism in these enzymes. Such a mechanism can explain an active functional role for two haems and two quinone binding sites, allowing SQR to conserve energy. With this testable hypothesis we intend to challenge the discussion and drive further experimentation to unravel the functional mechanism of SQRs and QFRs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Benzoquinones / metabolism
  • Binding Sites
  • Electron Transport Complex II
  • Heme / analysis*
  • Ion Transport
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multienzyme Complexes / chemistry
  • Multienzyme Complexes / metabolism*
  • Oxidoreductases / chemistry*
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism*
  • Periodicity
  • Protons
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Succinate Dehydrogenase / chemistry
  • Succinate Dehydrogenase / metabolism*

Substances

  • Benzoquinones
  • Multienzyme Complexes
  • Protons
  • quinone
  • Heme
  • Oxidoreductases
  • Electron Transport Complex II
  • quinol fumarate reductase
  • Succinate Dehydrogenase