Clinical › Child Neurology

Mitochondrial Disorders

Mitochondrial Disorders

What You'll Learn

Electron Transport Chain & Oxidative Phosphorylation

Complex Name mtDNA-Encoded Subunits Inhibitor Clinical Associations
Complex I NADH dehydrogenase (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) 7 subunits (ND1–ND6, ND4L) — most common site of mtDNA mutations Rotenone LHON, Leigh syndrome, MELAS
Complex II Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) NONE — entirely nuclear-encoded (only complex with no mtDNA subunits) Malonate Paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma (SDHB/C/D germline mutations); Leigh syndrome (rare)
Complex III Cytochrome bc1 (ubiquinol:cytochrome c oxidoreductase) 1 subunit (cytochrome b) Antimycin A Exercise intolerance, encephalomyopathy
Complex IV Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) 3 subunits (COX I, II, III) Cyanide, carbon monoxide Leigh syndrome (SURF1), KSS, fatal infantile COX deficiency
Complex V ATP synthase (F0F1 ATPase) 2 subunits (ATP6, ATP8) Oligomycin NARP, Leigh syndrome (MT-ATP6)

Key Genetic Causes of Leigh Syndrome

Gene Inheritance Complex/Enzyme Notes
MT-ATP6MaternalComplex VWhen heteroplasmy >90% in NARP mutation
SURF1Autosomal recessiveComplex IV assembly factorMost common nuclear cause; relatively homogeneous phenotype
NDUFS4, NDUFS7, NDUFS8Autosomal recessiveComplex I subunitsComplex I deficiency is most common biochemical finding in Leigh
PDHA1X-linkedPyruvate dehydrogenase E1αPDH deficiency; responds to ketogenic diet and thiamine
SUCLA2Autosomal recessiveSuccinyl-CoA ligasemtDNA depletion; methylmalonic aciduria
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