Dysfunction of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I in neurological disorders: genetics and pathogenetic mechanisms

This chapter covers genetic and biochemical aspects of mitochondrial bioenergetics dysfunction in neurological disorders associated with complex I defects. Complex I formation and functionality in mammalian cells depends on: coordinated expression of nuclear and mitochondrial genes, posttranslational subunit modifications, mitochondrial import/maturation of nuclear encoded subunits, subunits interaction and stepwise assembly, proteolytic processing. Examples of complex I dysfunction are herein presented: homozygous mutations in the nuclear NDUFS1 and NDUFS4 genes for structural components of complex I; an autosomic recessive form of encephalopathy associated with enhanced proteolytic degradation of complex I; familial cases of Parkinson associated to mutations in the PINK1 and Parkin genes, in particular homoplasmic mutations in the ND5 and ND6 mitochondrial genes of the complex I, coexistent with mutation in the PINK1 gene.This knowledge, besides clarifying molecular aspects of the pathogenesis of hereditary diseases, can also provide hints for understanding the involvement of complex I in neurological disorders, as well as for developing therapeutical strategies.