Analysis of the peptide composition of purified beef-heart complex III by dodecylsulfate electrophoresis.

The peptides of purified complex III from beef heart mitochondria have been studied by electrophoresis on dodecylsulfate gels. Of the 12 peptides consistently observed, only eight appear to be integral peptides of the functional complex. Attempts to identify these peptides have been made through co-electrophoresis of complex III and fractions in which the individual peptides were either purified or greatly enriched. Electrophoresis of complex III preparations which were not reduced by mercaptoethanol indicates that intermolecular disulfide bonds play no significant role in stabilizing the complex.