Hydrogen bond network analysis reveals the pathway for the proton transfer in the E-channel of T. thermophilus Complex I

Umesh Khaniya, Chitrak Gupta, Xiuhong Cai, Junjun Mao, Divya Kaur, Yingying Zhang, Abhishek Singharoy, M. R. Gunner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Complex I, NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase, is the first enzyme in the mitochondrial and bacterial aerobic respiratory chain. It pumps four protons through four transiently open pathways from the high pH, negative, N-side of the membrane to the positive, P-side driven by the exergonic transfer of electrons from NADH to a quinone. Three protons transfer through subunits descended from antiporters, while the fourth, E-channel is unique. The path through the E-channel is determined by a network analysis of hydrogen bonded pathways obtained by Monte Carlo sampling of protonation states, polar hydrogen orientation and water occupancy. Input coordinates are derived from molecular dynamics trajectories comparing oxidized, reduced (dihydro) and no menaquinone-8 (MQ). A complex proton transfer path from the N- to the P-side is found consisting of six clusters of highly connected hydrogen-bonded residues. The network connectivity depends on the presence of quinone and its redox state, supporting a role for this cofactor in coupling electron and proton transfers. The N-side is more organized with MQ-bound complex I facilitating proton entry, while the P-side is more connected in the apo-protein, facilitating proton exit. Subunit Nqo8 forms the core of the E channel; Nqo4 provides the N-side entry, Nqo7 and then Nqo10 join the pathway in the middle, while Nqo11 contributes to the P-side exit.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number148240
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - Bioenergetics
Volume1861
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2020

Keywords

  • Complex I
  • Grand Canonical Monte Carlo Simulations
  • Hydrogen bond network
  • Proton pumping
  • Proton transfer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Hydrogen bond network analysis reveals the pathway for the proton transfer in the E-channel of T. thermophilus Complex I'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this