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Comment
. 2020 Dec 3;21(12):e51830.
doi: 10.15252/embr.202051830. Epub 2020 Dec 3.

Supercomplex formation boosts respiration

Fabian den Brave  1 , Thomas Becker  1
Affiliations
Comment

Supercomplex formation boosts respiration

Fabian den Brave et al. EMBO Rep. .

Abstract

Mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes associate in supercomplexes, but the physiological role of these assemblies remains controversial. Recent studies in EMBO Reports reveal that supercomplexes promote metabolic fitness. Berndtsson et al (2020) demonstrate that supercomplex formation enhances electron transport by reducing the distance for diffusion of cytochrome c between cytochrome bc1 complex and cytochrome c oxidase and thereby increases competitive fitness in yeast. Similarly, Garcia-Poyatos et al (2020) report that zebrafish lacking the supercomplex assembly factor SCAF1 display a reduced growth and decreased female fertility.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Supercomplex formation facilitates cytochrome c diffusion within the respiratory chain
Supercomplex formation between complex III (CIII) and complex IV (CIV) of the respiratory chain increases the efficiency of electron transfer via shortening the diffusion distance of cytochrome c (Cyt. c). Disruption of the supercomplexes affects electron transfer by increasing the diffusion distance of cytochrome c, which in turn decreases cellular fitness. IMS: intermembrane space; IMM: inner mitochondrial membrane.
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References

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