Evidence for a quinone binding site close to the interface between NUOD and NUOB subunits of Complex I

Piericidin, rotenone and pyridaben are specific inhibitors of the NADH-ubiq uinone oxidoreductase (Complex I) that bind to its ubiquinone binding site( s). Using site directed mutagenesis, we demonstrate that residues G409, D41 2, R413 and V407 of the C-terminus of Complex I NUOD subunit are directly i nvolved in the binding of these inhibitors. We propose that the correspondi ng inhibitor/quinone binding site would be located close to NUOD-NUOB inter face. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.