Characterization of ubisemiquinone radicals in succinate-ubiquinone reductase.

A thenoyl trifluoroacetone-sensitive and antimycin-insensitive ubisemiquinone radical (Qs) is readily detected in purified succinate-cytochrome c reductase. When this reductase is resolved into succinate-Q and ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductases, Qs was not detected in either reductase. The difficulty in detecting such a radical in purified succinate-Q reductase has puzzled investigators for years. A deficiency of Q in the isolated complex is the reason for the failure to detect Qs. Upon addition of exogenous Q, a thenoyl trifluoroacetone-sensitive Q-radical is readily detectable in isolated succinate-Q reductase under a controlled redox potential. Maximum radical concentration is observed when 5 mol of exogenous Q, per mole of flavin, is added. The radical gives an EPR signal with a g-value of 2.005 and a line-width of 12 G. The Em of Qs is 84 mV at pH 7.4, with half-potentials of E1 = 40 mV and E2 = 128 mV. The Qs-radical does not show power saturation, even at 200 mW.