Chapter 4 Electron transfer in respiratory complexes resolved by an ultra-fast freeze-quench approach

The investigation of the molecular mechanism of the respiratory chain complexes requires determination of the time-dependent evolution of the catalytic cycle intermediates. The ultra-fast freeze-quench approach makes possible trapping such intermediates with consequent analysis of their chemical structure by means of different physical spectroscopic methods (e.g., EPR, optic, and Mössbauer spectroscopies). This chapter presents the description of a setup that allows stopping the enzymatic reaction in the time range from 100 microsec to tens of msec. The construction and production technology of the mixer head, ultra-fast freezing device, and accessories required for collecting a sample are described. Ways of solving a number of problems emerging on freezing of the reaction mixture and preparing the samples for EPR spectroscopy are proposed. The kinetics of electron transfer reaction in the first enzyme of the respiratory chain, Complex I (NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase), is presented as an illustration of the freeze-quench approach. Time-resolved EPR spectra indicating the redox state of FeS clusters of the wild-type and mutant (R274A in subunit NuoCD) Complex I from Escherichia coli are shown.