The mitochondrial site of superoxide formation.

Ubiquinone and cytochrome b566 have both been postulated to cause mitochondrial O2 formation by autoxidation of their reduced forms. The present investigation was made to evaluate capabilities of the two candidates to transfer electrons to molecular oxygen out of sequence of the normal pathway of respiration. The results show that electron transfer from ubisemiquinone to oxygen depends on the availability of protons. In agreement with this finding autoxidation of redox cycling ubiquinone could not be observed due to its location in an aprotic environment of the mitochondrial membrane. However, O2 release from mitochondria was found to be related to the existence of low potential cytochrome b566. The transfer of this b type cytochrome to more positive values caused a concomitant decrease and finally inhibition of univalent electron transfer to oxygen out of sequence. Our findings suggest a role of cytochrome b 566 in mitochondrial O2 formation. A contribution by ubiquinone is unlikely as long as protons are deprived from penetrating into the domain where ubiquinone is operating.