SDHA

Succinate dehydrogenase complex, subunit A, flavoprotein variant is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the SDHA is_associated_with::gene. This gene encodes a major catalytic subunit of succinate-ubiquinone oxidoreductase, a complex of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The complex is composed of four nuclear-encoded subunits and is localized in the mitochondrial inner membrane. SDHA contains the is_associated_with::FAD binding site where is_associated_with::succinate is deprotonated and converted to is_associated_with::fumarate. Mutations in this gene have been associated with a form of mitochondrial respiratory chain deficiency known as Leigh Syndrome. A is_associated_with::pseudogene has been identified on chromosome 3q29. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.

Structure
The SDHA gene is located on the p arm of is_associated_with::chromosome 5 at locus 15 and is composed of 16 exons. The SDHA is_associated_with::protein encoded by this gene is 664 amino acids long and weighs 72.7 kDA.

Function
The SDH complex is located on the inner membrane of the is_associated_with::mitochondria and participates in both the is_associated_with::citric acid cycle and the is_associated_with::respiratory chain. The is_associated_with::succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) protein complex catalyzes the oxidation of succinate (succinate + ubiquinone => fumarate + ubiquinol). Electrons removed from succinate transfer to SDHA, transfer across is_associated_with::SDHB through iron sulphur clusters to the SDHC/is_associated_with::SDHD subunits on the hydrophobic end of the complex anchored in the mitochondrial membrane.

Initially, SDHA oxidizes is_associated_with::succinate via is_associated_with::deprotonation at the is_associated_with::FAD binding site, forming FADH2 and leaving is_associated_with::fumarate, loosely bound to the active site, free to exit the protein. The electrons derived from succinate tunnel along the [Fe-S] relay in the is_associated_with::SDHB subunit until they reach the [3Fe-4S] is_associated_with::iron sulfur cluster. The electrons are then transferred to an awaiting is_associated_with::ubiquinone molecule at the Q pool active site in the SDHC/is_associated_with::SDHD dimer. The O1 is_associated_with::carbonyl oxygen of ubiquinone is oriented at the active site (image 4) by is_associated_with::hydrogen bond interactions with Tyr83 of is_associated_with::SDHD. The presence of electrons in the [3Fe-4S] iron sulphur cluster induces the movement of ubiquinone into a second orientation. This facilitates a second hydrogen bond interaction between the O4 carbonyl group of ubiquinone and Ser27 of SDHC. Following the first single electron reduction step, a is_associated_with::semiquinone radical species is formed. The second electron arrives from the [3Fe-4S] cluster to provide full reduction of the ubiquinone to is_associated_with::ubiquinol.

SDHA acts as an intermediate in the basic SDH enzyme action:
 * 1) SDHA converts is_associated_with::succinate to is_associated_with::fumarate as part of the is_associated_with::Citric Acid Cycle. This reaction also converts is_associated_with::FAD to FADH2.
 * 2) Electrons from the FADH2 are transferred to the SDHB subunit iron clusters [2Fe-2S],[4Fe-4S],[3Fe-4S]. This function is part of the is_associated_with::Respiratory chain
 * 3) Finally the electrons are transferred to the is_associated_with::Ubiquinone (Q) pool via the SDHC/is_associated_with::SDHD subunits.

Clinical significance
Bi-allelic mutations (i.e. both copies of the gene are mutated) have been described in is_associated_with::Leigh syndrome, a progressive brain disorder that typically appears in infancy or early childhood. Affected children may experience vomiting, seizures, delayed development, muscle weakness, and problems with movement. Heart disease, kidney problems, and difficulty breathing can also occur in people with this disorder. The SDHA gene mutations responsible for Leigh syndrome change single amino acids in the SDHA protein or result in an abnormally short protein. These genetic changes disrupt the activity of the SDH enzyme, impairing the ability of mitochondria to produce energy. It is not known, however, how mutations in the SDHA gene are related to the specific features of Leigh syndrome. Mutations in the SDHA subunit have a distinct pathology from mutations in the SDHB/SDHC/SDHD subunits; it is the only subunit to never have shown is_associated_with::tumor suppressor behavior. is_associated_with::Heterozygous carriers of an SDHA mutation do not develop paragangliomas as has been seen for mutations in the other subunits. This appears to be due to the expression of two similar SDHA genes (Types I and II) in the paraganglia system. This would require the improbable event of inactivation of all four alleles to trigger a paraganglioma.