Evidence for a function of core protein in complex III from beef-heart mitochondria

Puried complex III ) ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase) from beef heart mitochondria was alkylated with iodol [1-14C]acetamide. After 6-8 h of incubation with iodo[1-14C]acetamide, duroquinol and ubiquinol-2-cytochrome c reductase activites were inhibited approximately 50%. During this time 4.5 +/- 1.6 nmol of iodo[1-14C]acetamide reacted per mg of complex III protein. Experiments carried out over 24 h indicated that enzyme activity could be inhibited to 70% and the alkylation of complex III was proportional to inhibition. The rates of cytochrome b and c1 reduction by duroquinol are also decreased upon treatment of complex III with iodoacetamide. Separation of the peptides of complex III by electrophoresis in sodium dodecylsulfate shows that all of the radioactivity is located in a single peptide of 50 000 molecular weight, which has been identified as one of the two core proteins. The possible functions of core protein are discussed.