NDUFS6 is located on human chromosome 5 (5p15.33) and encodes a 13 kDa accessory subunit of mitochondrial complex I. It belongs to the iron-sulfur protein (IP) fraction of CI, which facilitates electron transfer from NADH to ubiquinone.
Iron-Sulfur Center: Not directly involved in electron transfer but stabilizes CI structure .
Tissue-Specific Expression: Higher expression in heart and muscle due to their high energy demands .
Mutations in NDUFS6 disrupt CI activity, leading to impaired oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial disorders. These mutations are typically autosomal recessive.
Homozygous c.309+5G>A: Milder phenotype with neuropathy and optic atrophy, attributed to residual protein in non-cardiac tissues .
c.344G>A (p.C115Y): Fatal neonatal lactic acidosis and cardiomyopathy .
CI Activity Loss: >90% reduction in complex I activity in patient-derived cells .
Proteomic Changes: Loss of NDUFS6 correlates with decreased levels of NDUFA12, NDUFS4, and NDUFV1, indicating disrupted CI assembly .
ROS and Metabolites: No significant reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation; elevated hydroxyacylcarnitine in cardiomyopathy .
In a Ndufs6 gene-trap mouse model:
Sex Differences: Male mice showed earlier cardiac failure and higher mortality rates compared to females, possibly due to hormonal influences .
Ndufs6(gt/gt) Mice:
NDUFS6 (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit S6) is a nuclear-encoded component of mitochondrial Complex I, with emerging roles in neurological and metabolic disorders. Below are structured FAQs addressing key research considerations, methodologies, and challenges in studying this protein, synthesized from peer-reviewed findings and experimental frameworks.
A cohort study revealed axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) and Leigh syndrome phenotypes from the same homozygous variant (c.309+5G>A). To address this:
Constraint-based metabolic modeling (CBM) frameworks:
Reconstruction: Curate reactions involving NDUFS6 using Recon3D or HMR2.0 databases.
Flux balance analysis: Simulate ATP yield under varying NADH/ubiquinone ratios .
Phenotypic validation: Compare in silico predictions with patient-derived fibroblast OCR data.
Where represents reaction fluxes and the stoichiometric matrix .
Stepwise protocol:
Include antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) to restore canonical splicing.
Validate findings in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons.
Histidine NADH Dehydrogenase Fe-S Protein 6, also known as NDUFS6, is a subunit of Complex I. Complex I plays a crucial role in cellular respiration, facilitating the transfer of electrons from NADH to ubiquinone. This process is essential for the generation of ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell.
NDUFS6 is an iron-sulfur (Fe-S) protein, which means it contains iron-sulfur clusters that are vital for its function. These clusters facilitate the transfer of electrons within the protein complex. The human recombinant form of NDUFS6 is produced using recombinant DNA technology, which allows for the expression of the protein in a host organism, typically E. coli, for research and therapeutic purposes.
The preparation of human recombinant NDUFS6 involves several steps:
NDUFS6 participates in redox reactions within Complex I. The iron-sulfur clusters in NDUFS6 undergo oxidation and reduction, facilitating the transfer of electrons from NADH to ubiquinone. This electron transfer is coupled with the translocation of protons across the mitochondrial membrane, contributing to the proton gradient used to produce ATP.
Research on NDUFS6 and other components of Complex I is crucial for understanding mitochondrial diseases and developing potential treatments. Mutations in the NDUFS6 gene can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction, which is associated with various neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders.