Predicted structure and possible ionmotive mechanism of the sodium‐linked NADH‐ubiquinone oxidoreductase of Vibrio alginolyticus

Two groups have now published sequences of the six genes contained in the operon coding for the sodium-linked NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase of Vibrio alginolyticus. Sequence analyses indicate that this enzyme is unrelated to other known respiratory NADH dehydrogenases. A search for cofactor motifs suggests that the enzyme contains only one FAD, a ferredoxin-type iron sulphur centre, and the NADH-binding site. These are all located on NqrF, a subunit that can be recognized as a new member of a large diverse family of NAD(P)H-oxidizing flavoenzymes. A possible model of ion-coupling is presented, based upon this new information.