The effect of calcium and inhibitors on corn mitochondrial respiration

The effects of KCN, antimycin A, malonate, rotenone, and amytal on the oxidation of malate, succinate, and extramitochondrial reduced nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide (NADH) by corn mitochondria were studied. Potassium cyanide and antimycin A inhibited the oxidation of all three substrates. Rotenone and amytal inhibited only the oxidation of malate, and malonate inhibited only the oxidation of succinate. Rotenone, amytal, and malonate did not inhibit the oxidation of extramitochondrial NADH. The calcium stimulation of the oxidation of extramitochondrial NADH was prevented by KCN and antimycin A but not by amytal, rotenone, or malonate. It is suggested that corn mitochondria possess a flavoprotein specific for extramitochondrial NADH and that this flavoprotein is sensitive to divalent cations.     

Preparation and some properties of submitochondrial particles from tightly coupled mung bean mitochondria

Osmotic shock was found to be better than freezing and thawing, a French press, or sonic oscillation for the preparation of submitochondrial particles from mung bean (Phaseolus aureus) hypocotyl mitochondria. Particles prepared by osmotic shock rapidly oxidize reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and succinate, but they oxidize malate slowly. NADH oxidation was slightly stimulated by cytochrome c, ATP, and ADP; succinate oxidation was markedly increased by ATP, slightly by ADP and cytochrome c; and malate oxidation required the addition of NAD⁺ NADH oxidation is inhibited weakly by amytal, completely by antimycin A and KCN, but not by rotenone. Chlorsuccinate, malonate, antimycin A, and KCN inhibit succinate oxidation. The action of antimycin A and KCN is incomplete, while chlorsuccinate and malonate were competitive inhibitors. Antimycin A combined stoichiometrically with particle protein in the ratio of 0.23 millimicromole per milligram of protein.     

Studies of the mitochondria from Eimeria tenella and inhibition of the electron transport by quinolone coccidiostats.

Intact but fragile mitochondria were isolated from unsporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella. The mitochondria respired in response to succinate, malate plus pyruvate, and L-ascorbate at rates of 1.00, 0.40, and 0.25 mu1 O2/min/mg protein, respectively. Spectrophotometric analyses of the cytochromes in mitochondria and whole oocysts revealed b-type and o-type cytochromes, at roughly similar levels, but no cytochrome c could be detected. The mitochondrial respiration was inhibited by cyanide, azide, carbon monoxide, antimycin A, and 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide, but was relatively resistant to rotenone and amytal. The quinolone coccidiostats buquinolate, amquinate, methyl benzoquate, and decoquinate were identified as very powerful inhibitiors of succinate and malate plus pyruvate supported respiration in E. tenella mitochondria. None of these four drugs exhibited any inhibitory effect on chicken liver mitochondria. Only 3 pmol of the quinolones per mg mitochondrial protein was needed to achieve 50% inhibition. The inhibition could not be reversed by coenzymes Q6 or Q10. Since the quinolones did not affect L-ascorbate-supported respiration or the activities of submitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase and NADH dehydrogenase, the site of action of the quinolone coccidiostats was tentatively identified as probably near cytochrome b in E. tenella mitochondria. Mitochondria isolated from an E. tenella amquinate-resistant mutant were much less susceptible to quinolone coccidiostats; 50% inhibition was attained by 300 pmol of the drugs/mg mitochondrial protein. The results suggest that the mechanisms of action of quinolone coccidiostats is by inhibiting the cytochrome-mediated electron transport in the mitochondria of coccidia. 2-Hydroxynaphthoquinone coccidiostats were identified as inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration of both E. tenella and chicken liver. They inhibited submitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase and NADH dehydrogenase of E. tenella, and remained equally active against the mitochondrial function of E. tenella amquinolate-resistant mutant.     

Cyanide-resistant Respiration of Sweet Potato Mitochondria

The oxidation of malate and succinate by sweet potato mitochondria (Ipomoea batatas [L.] Lam.) was blocked only partly by inhibitors of complexes III (2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide) and IV (cyanide and azide). The respiration insensitive to inhibitors of complexes III and IV was inhibited by salicylhydroxamic acid. Essentially complete inhibition was obtained with inhibitors of complex I (rotenone, amytal, and thenoyltrifluoroacetone) and complex II (thenoyltrifluoroacetone). The observations indicated that electrons were transferred to the cyanide-resistant pathway from ubiquinone or from nonheme iron (iron-sulfur) proteins of complexes I and II before reaching the b cytochromes. In contrast, the oxidation of exogenous NADH did not involve the alternate pathway, as indicated by complete inhibition by inhibitors of complexes III and IV and the absence of an effect of inhibitors of complexes I and II. Hence, electrons from exogenous NADH appear to pass directly to complex III in sweet potato mitochondria.     

Oxidation of NADH via an "external" pathway in skeletal-muscle mitochondria and its possible role in the repayment of lactacid oxygen debt

Mitochondria isolated from skeletal muscle of rat catalyse oxidation of the external NADH (in the presence of rotenone, antimycin A and cytochrome c) at a rate of 15 natoms O2/min/mg protein by a pathway sensitive to mersalyl. In a medium supplemented with commercial lactate dehydrogenase, or when mitochondria were incubated in the presence of a cytoplasm, the NADH oxidation could be arrested by pyruvate. The inhibitory effect of pyruvate could be released by lactate. In the presence of NAD and cytochrome c, the reconstructed system containing skeletal muscle mitochondria plus cytoplasmic fraction was active in oxidation of L-lactate despite of the presence of rotenone and antimycin A. The lactate oxidation was sensitive to mersalyl and cyanide.     

The oxidation of malate and exogenous reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide by isolated plant mitochondria

Exogenous NADH oxidation by cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) bud mitochondria was sensitive to antimycin A and gave ADP/O ratios of 1.4 to 1.9. In intact mitochondria, NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity was only slightly inhibited by antimycin A. The antimycin-insensitive activity was associated with the outer membrane. Malate oxidation was sensitive to both rotenone and antimycin A and gave ADP/O values of 2.4 to 2.9. However in the presence of added NAD⁺, malate oxidation displayed similar properties to exogenous NADH oxidation. In both the presence and absence of added NAD⁺, malate oxidation was dependent on inorganic phosphate and inhibited by 2-n-butyl malonate.     

L-lactate oxidation by skeletal muscle mitochondria

1. Mitochondria isolated from rat skeletal muscle possess lactate dehydrogenase which is involved in direct oxidation of L-lactate in the presence of external NAD. 2. L-lactate oxidation can be stimulated in a reversible manner by ADP. 3. Mitochondrial lactate oxidation is sensitive to oxamate-inhibitor of LDH, alpha-cyano-3-hydroxy-cinnamate-pyruvate translocase inhibitor and respiratory chain inhibitors (rotenone, antimycin A, KCN). 4. In the same conditions the mitochondria did not oxidize pyruvate in the absence of malate, whereas, oxidize pyruvate plus external NADH in an uncoupling manner.     

Adenylate control of respiration in plants: the contribution of rotenone-insensitive electron transport to ADP-limited oxygen consumption by soybean mitochondria

The aim was to test the hypothesis that rotenone-insensive electron transport (bypass of complex I) may underlie rapid state 4 (ADP-limited) mitochondrial respiration. A comparison of mitochondria from soybean ( Glycine max L. cv. Bragg) cotyledons and nodules showed that ADP-sufficient (state 3) malate plus pyruvate oxidation by mitochondria from 7-day-old cotyledons was inhibited 50% by rotenone and state 4 rates were rapid, whereas nodule mitochondria were 80% inhibited by rotenone and had slower state 4 rates of malate plus pyruvate oxidation. Respiration of malate alone (pH 7.6) by cotyledon mitochondria was slow, especially in the absence of ADP; subsequent addition of pyruvate dramatically increased state 4 oxygen uptake concomitant with a rapid rise in mitochondrial NADH (determined by fluorimetry). Rotenone had no effect on this increased rate of state 4 respiration. The rate of malate oxidation by nodule mitochondria was relatively rapid compared with cotyledon mitochondria. The addition of pyruvate in state 4 caused a slow increase in matrix NADH and only a slight stimulation of oxygen uptake. Rotenone inhibited state 4 malate plus pyruvate oxidation by 50% in these mitochondria. From a large number of cotyledon and nodule mitochondrial preparations, a close correlation was found between the rate of state 4 oxygen uptake and rotenone-resistance. During cotyledon development increased rotenone-resistance was associated with an increase in the alternative oxidase. Addition of pyruvate to cotyledon mitochondria, during state 4 oxidation of malate in the presence of antimycin A, significantly stimulated O₂ uptake and also almost eliminated respiratory control. Such combined operation of the rotenone-insensitive bypass and the alternative oxidase in vivo will significantly affect the extent to which adenylates control the rate of electron transport.     

External alternative NADH dehydrogenase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a potential source of superoxide

Three rotenone-insensitive NADH dehydrogenases are present in the mitochondria of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which lack complex I. To elucidate the functions of these enzymes, superoxide production was determined in yeast mitochondria. The low levels of hydrogen peroxide (0.10 to 0.18 nmol/min/mg) produced in mitochondria incubated with succinate, malate, or NADH were stimulated 9-fold by antimycin A. Myxothiazol and stigmatellin blocked completely hydrogen peroxide formation with succinate or malate, indicating that the cytochrome bc(1) complex is the source of superoxide; however, these inhibitors only inhibited 46% hydrogen peroxide formation with NADH as substrate. Diphenyliodonium inhibited hydrogen peroxide formation (with NADH as substrate) by 64%. Superoxide formation, determined by EPR and acetylated cytochrome c reduction in mitochondria was stimulated by antimycin A, and partially inhibited by myxothiazol and stigmatellin. Proteinase K digestion of mitoplasts reduced 95% NADH dehydrogenase activity with a similar inhibition of superoxide production. Mild detergent treatment of the proteinase-treated mitoplasts resulted in an increase in NADH dehydrogenase activity due to the oxidation of exogenous NADH by the internal NADH dehydrogenase; however, little increase in superoxide production was observed. These results suggest that the external NADH dehydrogenase is a potential source of superoxide in S. cerevisiae mitochondria.     

Glyceollin: a site-specific inhibitor of electron transport in isolated soybean mitochondria

The glyceollin inhibition of electron transport by isolated soybean and corn mitochondria was similar to that of rotenone, acting at site I between the internal NADH dehydrogenase and coenzyme Q. Coupled state 3 malate oxidation was inhibited by glyceollin and rotenone with apparent K_i values of about 15 and 5 micromolar, respectively. Carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone uncoupled state 4 malate oxidation was also inhibited by glyceollin and rotenone, but uncoupled succinate and exogenous NADH state 4 oxidation was only slightly inhibited by both compounds. Glyceollin also inhibited ferricyanide reduction with malate as the electron donor, with an apparent K_i of 5.4 micromolar, but failed to inhibit such reduction with succinate or externally added NADH as electron donors. Glyceollin did not inhibit state 4 oxidation of malate, succinate, or exogenous NADH. Glyceollin did not act as a classical uncoupler or as an inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation.     

Effects of guanidine derivatives on mitochondrial function

Steady-state concentrations of citric acid cycle compounds accumulating during state 3 oxidation of pyruvate by guinea pig heart mitochondria have been measured using isotopic and fluorometric techniques; incubations partially inhibited with several guanidine derivatives and other inhibitors were compared with controls. The changes in levels of intermediates which occurred with guanidine derivatives were quantitatively and qualitatively identical to those with amytal; this pattern of intermediates was therefore not limited to those compounds which possess hypoglycemic propertiesin vitro. With antimycin, rotenone and nigericin the pattern of intermediates was specific for each agent, and differed from that with guanidine derivatives and amytal.Reduced pyridine nucleotides were also estimated at progressively increasing degrees of respiratory inhibition by these same agents. Lower concentrations of phenethylbiguanide and amytal produced identical increases in state 3 level of reduced pyridine nucleotide, while higher phenethylbiguanide concentrations were associated with a phosphatedependent decrease in reduced pyridine nucleotide level in both state 3 and state 4 which was not observed with amytal, and not accompanied by a stimulation of respiratory rate. These changes resemble the metabolic condition termed state 6, and are consistent with a calciumlike activity of guanidine derivatives. Changes in level of reduced pyridine nucleotide were observed which were specific to rotenone and nigericin; these changes, combined with the patterns of citric acid cycle intermediates observed with these inhibitors, are useful in interpreting the effects of these agents on the functional state of intact mitochondria.     

The NADH oxidase system (external) of muscle mitochondria and its role in the oxidation of cytoplasmic NADH.

An exo-NADH oxidase system [NADH oxidase system (external)], effecting intact-mitochondrial oxidation of added NADH, was studied in pigeon heart mitochondria. Breast muscle mitochondria showed an equal specific activity of the system. The exo-NADH oxidase activity (200 micron mol of NADH/min per g of protein) equalled two-thirds of the State-3 respiratory activity with malate + pyruvate or one-seventh of the total NADH oxidase activity of heart mitochondria. The activity was not caused by use of proteinase in the preparation procedure and all measured parameters were very reproducible from preparation to preparation. The activity is therefore most likely not due to preparation artefacts. The exo-NADH oxidase system is present in all mitochondria in the preparation and is not confined to a subpopulation. The system reduced all cytochrome anaerobically and direct interaction with all cytochrome oxidase was demonstrated by interdependent cyanide inhibition. The exo-NADH oxidase system seems to be located at the outer surface of the mitochondrial inner membrane because, for instance, only this system was rapidly inhibited by rotenone, and ferricyanide could act as acceptor in the rotenone-inhibited system (reductase activity = 20 times oxidase activity). In the presence of antimycin, added NADH reduced only a part of the b-cytochromes. Freezing and thawing the mitochondria, one of the methods used for making them permeable to NADH, destroyed this functional compartmentation. The characteristics of the exo-NADH oxidase system and the malate-aspartate shuttle are compared and the evidence for the shuttle's function in heart in vivo is re-evaluated. It is proposed that oxidation of cytoplasmic NADH in red muscles primarily is effected by the exo-NADH oxidase system.     

Oxidative phosphorylation and the electron transport system of castor bean mitochondria

The difference spectrum (reduced minus oxidized) of castor bean(Ricinus communis L.) mitochondria showed the presence of cytochromeoxidase (cytochromes a+a₃), b-type cytochromes and cytochromec. The mitochondria actively oxidized succinate, -ketoglutarate,pyruvate and exogenous NADH, and oxidations of these substrateswere stimulated by added ADP, as in mammalian mitochondria.Values for the P/O ratio obtained for succinate, pyruvate and-ketoglutarate were the same as those reported for mammalianmitochondria, indicating that theoretical values are 2, 3 and4, respectively. The theoretical P/O ratio for exogenous NADHseemed to be 2. Oxidations of succinate and exogenous NADH instate 3 were almost completely inhibited by 0.3 mM cyanide and10 µM its antimycin A, while those of NAD⁺-linked substratesin state 3 were not completely suppressed even by excess concentrationsof these inhibitors. There seem to be two types of pathway forelectron transfer in the oxidation of NAD⁺-linked substratesin castor bean mitochondria, i.e. pathways which are sensitiveand insensitive to these inhibitors. Oxidation of exogenousNADH in state 3 was not inhibited by rotenone. Transitions of redox levels of the respiratory components fromstate 4 to state 3 on addition of ADP and from state 3 to state4 on exhaustion of added ADP were observed with a dual-wavelengthspectrophotometer. Effects of inhibitors on redox levels ofthe respiratory components in state 3 were investigated. Cytochromesof b-type and cytochrome c were fully reduced on addition ofcyanide. Cytochromes of b-type were also fully reduced on additionof antimycin A, but cytochrome oxidase (cytochromes a + a₃)and cytochrome c changed to the oxidized forms. The redox levelof the component(s) with an absorption maximum at 465 mµshifted further, but not completely, to the reduced side onaddition of antimycin A. However, this component(s) was oxidizedon addition of cyanide. Cyanide-, or antimycin A-resistant oxidationof NAD⁺-linked substrates seems to occur via an alternate electrontransfer pathway branching from NAD⁺-linked flavoprotein(s)in the mitochondria, not via the normal pathway through thecytochromes-cytochrome oxidase system. (Received June 8, 1970; )     

The second respiratory chain of Candida parapsilosis: a comprehensive study

The yeast C. parapsilosis CBS7157 is strictly dependent on oxidative metabolism for growth since it lacks a fermentative pathway. It is nevertheless able to grow on high glucose concentrations and also on a glycerol medium supplemented with antimycin A or drugs acting at the level of mitochondrial protein synthesis. Besides its normal respiratory chain C. parapsilosis develops a second electron transfer chain antimycin A-insensitive which allows the oxidation of cytoplasmic NAD(P)H resulting from glycolytic and hexose monophosphate pathways functioning through a route different from the NADH-coenzyme Q oxidoreductase described in S. cerevisiae or from the alternative pathways described in numerous plants and microorganisms. The second respiratory chain of C. parapsilosis involves 2 dehydrogenases specific for NADH and NADPH respectively, which are amytal and mersalyl sensitive and located on the outer face of the inner membrane. Since this antimycin A-insensitive pathway is fully inhibited by myxothiazol, it was hypothesized that electrons are transferred to a quinone pool that is different from the classical coenzyme Q-cytochrome b cycle. Two inhibitory sites were evidenced with myxothiazol, one related to the classical pathway, the other to the second pathway and thus, the second quinone pool could bind to a Q-binding protein at a specific site. Elimination of this second pool leads to a fully antimycin A-sensitive NADH oxidation, whereas its reincorporation in mitochondria allows recovery of an antimycin A-insensitive, myxothiazol sensitive NADH oxidation. The third step in this second respiratory chain involves a specific pool of cytochrome c which can deliver electrons either to a third phosphorylation site or to an alternative oxidase, cytochrome 590. This cytochrome is inhibited by high cyanide concentrations and salicylhydroxamates.     

Cytokinin modification of mitochondrial function

6-Benzylaminopurine, 6-(Δ²-isopentenylamino)purine, 6-furfurylaminopurine, rotenone, and antimycin A inhibited oxidation of NADH by mitochondrial sonicates or submitochondrial particles (but not by intact mitochondria) from pea (Pisum sativum L., cult. Alaska) stems and mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczak) hypocotyls. The above purine cytokinins can interfere with electron transport from NADH to the cytochrome system in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Adenine did not inhibit oxidation by sonicated mitochondria, and zeatin was almost ineffective. Zeatin scarcely inhibited state 3 malate respiration by intact mitochondria, but the O-formyl and O-n-propionyl esters of zeatin and the O-acetyl ester of 2-chlorozeatin were more active. Perhaps zeatin is ineffective because it does not get into the inner membranes of the isolated mitochondria, whereas the esters and other cytokinins mentioned above do. N-4-(2-chloropyridyl)-N′-Phenylurea, which has cytokinin-like effects on plant growth and development, inhibited NADH oxidation by sonicated mitochondria. It also inhibited malate, succinate, and NADH oxidation by intact mitochondria; in contrast, the latter two oxidations were not decreased by purine cytokinins.     

Relation between energy metabolism in mitochondria and conversion of 18 hydroxycorticosterone to aldosterone in adrenals

The purpose of this study was to see whether there was any link between conversion of 18 hydroxycorticosterone to aldosterone and mitochondrial energy metabolism. In vitro incubations of duck adrenal mitochondria with 18 OH B were used in this study. Results show that 18 oxidation is inhibited by compounds blocking electron transport (antimycin A, cyanide, rotenone, amytal). Inhibition induced by cyanide and antimycin A is reversed with ATP. 2,4 dinitrophenol, oligomycin and DCCD inhibit 18 oxidation but guanidine stimulate this reaction. Thus aldosterone synthesis from 18 OH B depends on energy metabolism in mitochondria. This is a very new aspect related to the last step of aldosterone synthesis.     

Electron transport particles from bovine heart as a test system in toxicological studies

14 standard respiratory inhibitors and substances of toxicological interest were tested on the NADH oxidase and the succinate-cytochrome c oxidoreductase systems of beef heart electron transfer particles (ETP) in the presence and absence of human serum albumin (HSA). HSA did not influence the half-inhibition concentrations by cyanide, amytal and antimycin A. It had little effect on the inhibition by rotenone or carboxin, whereas the inhibition by free fatty acids and monoglyceride was greatly decreased. Lindan and DDT exerted a marked inhibition of the NADH oxidase system in the absence of HSA; the inhibition was weaker but still considerable in the presence of HSA. In the presence of HSA 10(-4) M DDT but not Lindan inhibited also the succinate-cytochrome c reductase system. The results show that ETP may be a useful test object in toxicological studies.     

Activation of the external pathway of NADH oxidation in liver mitochondria of cold-adapted rats.

15 min cold exposure of rats adapted to cold results in switching on a pathway of the fast oxidation of extramitochondrial NADH in the isolated liver mitochondria. This pathway is sensitive to mersalyl and cyanide, resistant to amytal and antimycin A, and can be stimulated by dinitrophenol. A portion of the endogenous cytochrome c pool can easily be removed by washing mitochondria of the cold-exposed rats. A scheme is discussed, postulating desorption of the inner membrane-bound cytochrome c into intermembrane space of mitochondria, resulting in formation of a link between the non-phosphorylating NADH-cytochrome c reductase in the outer mitochondrial membrane and cytochrome c oxidase in the inner membrane. It is suggested that such an oxidative pathway is involved in the urgent heat production in liver in response to the cold treatment.     

ATP synthesis during exogenous NADH oxidation. A reappraisal

This paper reports a reinvestigation on the pathway for mitochondrial oxidation of exogenous NADH and on the related ATP synthesis, first reported 30 years ago (Lehninger, A.L. (1951) J. Biol. Chem. 190, 345-359). NADH oxidation, both in intact and in water-treated mitochondria, is 90% inhibited by mersalyl, an inhibitor of the outer membrane NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase, and 10% inhibited by rotenone. The mersalyl-sensitive, but not the rotenone-sensitive, portion of NADH oxidation is stimulated by exogenous cytochrome c. Part of ATP synthesis is independent of exogenous NADH and cytochrome c, and is inhibited by rotenone and antimycin A, and is therefore due to oxidation of endogenous substrates. Another part of ATP synthesis is dependent on exogenous NADH and cytochrome c, is insensitive to rotenone and antimycin A, and is due to operation of cytochrome oxidase. It is concluded that (i) oxidation of exogenous NADH in the presence of cytochrome c proceeds mostly through NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase and cytochrome b5 on the outer membrane and then through cytochrome oxidase via the cytochrome c shuttle, and (ii) ATP synthesis during oxidation of exogenous NADH is partly due to oxidation of endogenous substrates and partly to operation of cytochrome oxidase receiving electrons from the outer membrane via cytochrome c.     

Mechanism of Superoxide Anion Generation in Intact Mitochondria in the Presence of Lucigenin and Cyanide

In the presence of cyanide and various respiratory substrates (succinate or pyruvate + malate) addition of high concentrations of lucigenin (400 microM; Luc2+) to rat liver mitochondria can induce a short-term flash of high amplitude lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL). Under conditions of cytochrome oxidase inhibition by cyanide the lucigenin-induced cyanide-resistant respiration (with succinate as substrate) was not inhibited by uncouplers (FCCP) and oligomycin. Increase in transmembrane potential (Deltaphi) value by stimulating F0F1-ATPase functioning (induced by addition of MgATP to the incubation medium) caused potent stimulation of the rate of cyanide-resistant respiration. At high Deltaphi values (in the presence of MgATP) cyanide resistant respiration of mitochondria in the presence of succinate or malate with pyruvate was insensitive to tenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA) or rotenone, respectively. However, in both cases respiration was effectively inhibited by myxothiazol or antimycin A. Mechanisms responsible for induction of LDCL and cyanide resistant mitochondrial respiration differ. In contrast to cyanide-resistant respiration, generation of LDCL signal, that was suppressed only by combined addition of Complex III inhibitors, antimycin A and myxothiazol, is a strictly potential-dependent process. It is observed only under conditions of high Deltaphi value generated by F0F1-ATPase functioning. The data suggest lucigenin-induced intensive generation of superoxide anion in mitochondria. Based on results of inhibitor analysis of cyanide-resistant respiration and LDCL, a two-stage mechanism of autooxidizable lucigenin cation-radical (Luc*+) formation in the respiratory chain is proposed. The first stage involves two-electron Luc2+ reduction by Complexes I and II. The second stage includes one-electron oxidation of reduced lucigenin (Luc(2e)). Reactions of Luc(2e) oxidation involve coenzyme Q-binding sites of Complex III. This results in formation of autooxidizable Luc*+ and superoxide anion generation. A new scheme for lucigenin-dependent electron pathways is proposed. It includes formation of fully reduced form of lucigenin and two-electron-transferring shunts of the respiratory chain. Lucigenin-induced activation of superoxide anion formation in mitochondria is accompanied by increase in ion permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane.