Evidence That a Type-2 NADH:Quinone Oxidoreductase Mediates Electron Transfer to Particulate Methane Monooxygenase in Methylococcus capsulatus

NADH readily provides reducing equivalents to membrane-bound methane monooxygenase (pMMO) from Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) in isolated membrane fractions, but detergent solubilization disrupts this electron-transfer process. Addition of exogenous quinones (especially decyl-plastoquinone and duroquinone) restores the NADH-dependent pMMO activity. Results of inhibitor and substrate dependence of this activity indicate the presence of only a type-2 NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (NDH-2). A 100-fold purification of the NDH-2 was achieved using lauryl-maltoside solubilization followed by ion exchange, hydrophobic-interaction, and gel-filtration chromatography. The purified NDH-2 has a subunit molecular weight of 36 kDa and exists as a monomer in solution. UV–visible and fluorescence spectroscopy identified flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) as a cofactor present in stoichiometric amounts. NADH served as the source of electrons, whereas NADPH could not. The purified NDH-2 enzyme reduced coenzyme Q0, duroquinone, and menaquinone at high rates, whereas the decyl analogs of ubiquinone and plastoquinone were reduced at ∼100-fold lower rates. Rotenone and flavone did not inhibit the NDH-2, whereas amytal caused partial inhibition but only at high concentrations.