Production of Free Radicals by Mitochondria: A Biochemistry Approach

Abstract

The production of superoxide by mitochondria strongly depends on the mitochondrial respiratory chain. It is believed that the acetylation of cytochrome c prevents its reoxidation by mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase and direct reduction by NADH-or succinate-dependent cytochrome c reductase.  It is believed that ubiquinone can be one of the major producers of superoxide because the depletion of endogenous ubiquinone resulted in the formation of diminishing hydrogen peroxide.