Mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) complexes partition between free complexes and quaternary assemblies known as supercomplexes (SCs). However, the physiological requirement for SCs and the mechanisms regulating their formation remain controversial. Here, we show that genetic perturbations in mammalian ETC complex III (CIII) biogenesis stimulate the formation of a specialized extra-large SC (SC-XL) with a structure of I 2 +III 2 , resolved at 3.7 Å by cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM). SC-XL formation increases mitochondrial cristae density, reduces CIII reactive oxygen species (ROS), and sustains normal respiration despite a 70% reduction in CIII activity, effectively rescuing CIII deficiency. Consequently, inhibiting SC-XL formation in CIII mutants using the Uqcrc1 DEL:E258-D260 contact site mutation leads to respiratory decompensation. Lastly, SC-XL formation promotes fatty acid oxidation (FAO) and protects against ischemic heart failure in mice. Our study uncovers an unexpected plasticity in the mammalian ETC, where structural adaptations mitigate intrinsic perturbations, and suggests that manipulating SC-XL formation is a potential therapeutic strategy for mitochondrial dysfunction.
Organizational Affiliation:
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
~{S}-[2-[3-[[(2~{R})-3,3-dimethyl-2-oxidanyl-4-phosphonooxy-butanoyl]amino]propanoylamino]ethyl] (3~{S})-3-oxidanyltetradecanethioate C25 H49 N2 O9 P S JYSKQPQRUCZFIQ-REWPJTCUSA-N
AE [auth V1] CE [auth S1] DE [auth S1] FE [auth S7] GE [auth S8]
AE [auth V1], CE [auth S1], DE [auth S1], FE [auth S7], GE [auth S8], HE [auth S8], JE [auth v1], LE [auth s1], ME [auth s1], OE [auth s7], PE [auth s8], QE [auth s8]
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