NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit C1 (NDUFC1)

NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit C1 (NDUFC1) is an accessory subunit of mitochondrial complex I, the first enzyme in the electron transport chain responsible for transferring electrons from NADH to ubiquinone, a critical step in oxidative phosphorylation and cellular ATP production. NDUFC1 is not directly involved in electron catalysis but is essential for the structural stability and assembly of the large multi-protein complex I, contributing to mitochondrial energy production and metabolism. Dysregulation of NDUFC1, particularly its overexpression, has been implicated in cancer (e.g., gastric cancer), where it appears to regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and migration through its influence on mitochondrial metabolism. It has also been associated with mitochondrial diseases and is found mutated or dysregulated in certain metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders. No current therapeutics are known to specifically target NDUFC1, but inhibitors of Complex I as a whole (e.g., rotenone, metformin) affect its function.

Other names

NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 subunit C1, mitochondrialCI-KFYIKFYIComplex I-KFYINADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase KFYI subunitcomplex I KFYI subunit

Inhibition of complex I (i.e., by rotenone or metformin) decreases NADH oxidation, impairs mitochondrial respiration and ATP synthesis, increases reactive oxygen species (ROS), and disrupts cellular energy status.