Which cofactor does succinate dehydrogenase use?

Study for the Biochemistry Module 6 Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions; each question includes hints and explanations. Gear up to ace your test!

Multiple Choice

Which cofactor does succinate dehydrogenase use?

Explanation:
Succinate dehydrogenase uses FAD as its cofactor. In this enzyme, succinate is oxidized to fumarate, and the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) bound to the protein accepts the two electrons (and two protons) to become FADH2. Those electrons are then passed through iron-sulfur clusters to ubiquinone in the membrane, linking the reaction to the electron transport chain. NAD+ isn’t the electron acceptor for this reaction, which is why NAD+ isn’t the right choice. FMN is another flavin cofactor used by different enzymes, but succinate dehydrogenase specifically uses FAD. Coenzyme A is involved in acyl transfer reactions, not in this dehydrogenase step.

Succinate dehydrogenase uses FAD as its cofactor. In this enzyme, succinate is oxidized to fumarate, and the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) bound to the protein accepts the two electrons (and two protons) to become FADH2. Those electrons are then passed through iron-sulfur clusters to ubiquinone in the membrane, linking the reaction to the electron transport chain. NAD+ isn’t the electron acceptor for this reaction, which is why NAD+ isn’t the right choice. FMN is another flavin cofactor used by different enzymes, but succinate dehydrogenase specifically uses FAD. Coenzyme A is involved in acyl transfer reactions, not in this dehydrogenase step.

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