Atomic structures of respiratory complex III₂, complex IV and supercomplex III₂-IV from vascular plants

Abstract

Mitochondrial complex III (CIII₂) and complex IV (CIV), which can associate into a higher-order supercomplex (SC III₂+IV), play key roles in respiration. However, structures of these plant complexes remain unknown. We present atomic models of CIII₂, CIV and SC III₂+IV from Vigna radiata determined by single-particle cryoEM. The structures reveal plant-specific differences in the MPP domain of CIII₂ and define the subunit composition of CIV. Conformational heterogeneity analysis of CIII₂ revealed long-range, coordinated movements across the complex, as well as the motion of CIII₂’s iron-sulfur head domain. The CIV structure suggests that, in plants, proton translocation does not occur via the H-channel. The supercomplex interface differs significantly from that in yeast and bacteria in its interacting subunits, angle of approach and limited interactions in the mitochondrial matrix. These structures challenge long-standing assumptions about the plant complexes, generate new mechanistic hypotheses and allow for the generation of more selective agricultural inhibitors.