Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

The Supercomplexes in the Crista Membrane

The Supercomplexes in the Crista Membrane

The mitochondrial cristae membrane is the primary site for the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) process of energy conversion mediated through respiratory complexes I to V. These complexes have been widely studied for decades, and it has been proven that they form supramolecular structures called respiratory supercomplexes (SC). These higher-order complexes may be crucial in maintaining the biochemical structure and improving the physiological activity of the individual complexes while...

The Electron Transport Chain

The Electron Transport Chain

The electron transport chain or oxidative phosphorylation is an exothermic process in which free energy released during electron transfer reactions is coupled to ATP synthesis. This process is a significant source of energy in aerobic cells, and therefore inhibitors of the electron transport chain can be detrimental to the cell's metabolic processes.
Inhibitors of the electron transport chain
Rotenone, a widely used pesticide, prevents electron transfer from Fe-S cluster to ubiquinone or Q in...

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...

Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV

Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV

During the electron transport chain, electrons from NADH and FADH2 are first transferred to complexes I and II, respectively. These two complexes then transfer the electrons to ubiquinol, which carries them further to complex III. Complex III passes the electrons across the intermembrane space to Cyt c, which carries them further to complex IV. Complex IV donates electrons to oxygen and reduces it to water. As electrons pass through complexes I, III, and IV, the energy released aids the pumping...

ATP Synthase: Mechanism

ATP Synthase: Mechanism

In animals, the mitochondrial F1F0 ATP synthase is the key protein that synthesizes ATP molecules through a complex catalytic mechanism. While the nuclear genome encodes the majority of ATP synthase subunits, the mitochondrial genome encodes some of the enzyme's most critical components. The formation of this multi-subunit enzyme is a complex multi-step process regulated at the level of transcription, translation, and assembly. Defects in one or more of these steps can result in decreased ATP...

Electron Transport Chains

Electron Transport Chains

The final stage of cellular respiration is oxidative phosphorylation that consists of two steps: the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis. The electron transport chain is a set of proteins found in the inner mitochondrial membrane in eukaryotic cells. Its primary function is to establish a proton gradient that can be used during chemiosmosis to produce ATP and generate electron carriers, such as NAD+ and FAD, that are used in glycolysis and the citric acid cycle.
The ETC is comprised of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

FASTKD5 processes mitochondrial pre-mRNAs at noncanonical cleavage sites.

Nucleic acids research·2025

Same author

Bi-allelic mutations in FASTKD5 are associated with cytochrome c oxidase deficiency and early- to late-onset Leigh syndrome.

American journal of human genetics·2025

Same author

The human mitochondrial translation factor TACO1 alleviates mitoribosome stalling at polyproline stretches.

Nucleic acids research·2024

Same author

Mitochondrial molecular genetics and human disease.

Human molecular genetics·2024

Same author

ESYT1 tethers the ER to mitochondria and is required for mitochondrial lipid and calcium homeostasis.

Life science alliance·2023

Same author

BOLA3 and NFU1 link mitoribosome iron-sulfur cluster assembly to multiple mitochondrial dysfunctions syndrome.

Nucleic acids research·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

Isolation of Mitochondria for Mitochondrial Supercomplex Analysis from Small Tissue and Cell Culture Samples

Isolation of Mitochondria for Mitochondrial Supercomplex Analysis from Small Tissue and Cell Culture Samples

Published on: May 3, 2024

Supersizing the mitochondrial respiratory chain.

Eric A Shoubridge¹

¹Department of Human Genetics, McGill University/MNI, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Canada. eric@ericpc.mni.mcgill.ca

Cell Metabolism

|March 13, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Mitochondrial respiratory chain supercomplexes, or respirasomes, are crucial for efficient energy production and controlling reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recent research has identified key protein factors essential for the assembly and stability of these vital cellular structures.

More Related Videos

Hybrid Clear/Blue Native Electrophoresis for the Separation and Analysis of Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Supercomplexes

Hybrid Clear/Blue Native Electrophoresis for the Separation and Analysis of Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Supercomplexes

Published on: May 19, 2019

Mitochondrial Transformation in Baker's Yeast to Study Translation and Respiratory Complex Assembly

Mitochondrial Transformation in Baker's Yeast to Study Translation and Respiratory Complex Assembly

Published on: June 7, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 24, 2026

Isolation of Mitochondria for Mitochondrial Supercomplex Analysis from Small Tissue and Cell Culture Samples

Isolation of Mitochondria for Mitochondrial Supercomplex Analysis from Small Tissue and Cell Culture Samples

Published on: May 3, 2024

Hybrid Clear/Blue Native Electrophoresis for the Separation and Analysis of Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Supercomplexes

Hybrid Clear/Blue Native Electrophoresis for the Separation and Analysis of Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Supercomplexes

Published on: May 19, 2019

Mitochondrial Transformation in Baker's Yeast to Study Translation and Respiratory Complex Assembly

Mitochondrial Transformation in Baker's Yeast to Study Translation and Respiratory Complex Assembly

Published on: June 7, 2024

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Mitochondrial Function

Background:

Mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes form higher-order structures known as supercomplexes or respirasomes.
These supercomplexes are implicated in efficient electron channeling and regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

Discussion:

Understanding supercomplex assembly is critical for comprehending mitochondrial function and dysfunction.
Recent studies have begun to elucidate the protein factors that mediate supercomplex formation and maintenance.

Key Insights:

Identification of specific protein factors is a significant advancement in the field of mitochondrial respiration.
These factors are necessary for the proper assembly and stability of respirasomes.

Outlook:

Further research into these protein factors will illuminate mechanisms of mitochondrial energy transduction.
Targeting supercomplex assembly could offer new therapeutic strategies for metabolic and age-related diseases.