Identification of AtNDI1, an internal non-phosphorylating NAD(P)H dehydrogenase in Arabidopsis mitochondria

Plant mitochondria contain non-phosphorylating NAD(P)H dehydrogenases (DHs) that are not found in animal mitochondria. The physiological function, substrate specificity, and location of enzymes within this family have yet to be conclusively determined. We have linked genome sequence information to protein and biochemical data to identify that At1g07180 (SwissProt Q8GWA1) from the Arabidopsis Genome Initiative database encodes AtNDI1, an internal NAD(P)H DH in Arabidopsis mitochondria. Three lines of evidence are presented: (a). The predicted protein sequence of AtNDI1 has high homology with other designated NAD(P)H DHs from microorganisms, (b). the capacity for matrix NAD(P)H oxidation via the rotenone-insensitive pathway is significantly reduced in the Atndi1 mutant plant line, and (c). the in vitro translation product of AtNDI1 is imported into isolated mitochondria and located on the inside of the inner membrane.