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Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Measurement of Mitochondrial Respiration in Human and Mouse Skeletal Muscle Fibers by High-Resolution Respirometry
Published on: October 4, 2024
Effect of a polymorphism in the ND1 mitochondrial gene on human skeletal muscle mitochondrial function
Matthew R Jackman1, E Ravussin, M J Rowe
1Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA. Matthew.Jackman@uchsc.edu
Objective:
A non-silent polymorphism in the mitochondrial coding region of the ND1 gene, a subunit of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) dehydrogenase is associated with resting metabolic rate (RMR) in 245 non-diabetic Pima Indians. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of the ND1 gene polymorphism on mitochondrial function in 14 male Pima Indians.
Methods And Procedures:
Seven subjects with an A at site 3547 of the ND1 gene (Ile at amino acid 81), and seven with a G at this site (Val) were studied. Mitochondria were isolated from 0.8 to 1.5 g of skeletal muscle obtained by needle biopsy of the lateral quadriceps muscle. In intact mitochondria, maximal (state-3) and resting (state-4) respiration rates were measured polarographically at 37 degrees C with a variety of single substrates or substrate combinations. Disrupted mitochondria were analyzed for maximal capacities through the entire electron transport chain (ETC) (NADH oxidase (NADHOX)), as well as through a segment of Complex I that is independent of the ND1 component (NADH-ferricyanide (NADH-FeCN) reductase).
Results:
Mitochondria were well coupled and exhibited higher respiratory control ratios (RCRs) than rodent muscle. There were no differences between the two groups for any of the measured parameters.
Discussion:
These results indicate that the cause of the observed association between RMR and the ND1 polymorphism is not related to in vitro mitochondrial function.
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