In Vivo Labeling of Mitochondrial Complex I (NADH:UbiquinoneOxidoreductase) in Rat Brain Using [3H]Dihydrorotenone

: Defects in mitochondrial energy metabolism have beenimplicated in several neurodegenerative disorders. Defective complex I(NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) activity plays a key role in Leber'shereditary optic neuropathy and, possibly, Parkinson's disease, but there isno way to assess this enzyme in the living brain. We previously described anin vitro quantitative autoradiographic assay using[3H]dihydrorotenone ([3H]DHR) binding to complex I. Wehave now developed an in vivo autoradiographic assay for complex I using[3H]DHR binding after intravenous administration. In vivo[3H]DHR binding was regionally heterogeneous, and brain uptake wasrapid. Binding was enriched in neurons compared with glia, and white matterhad the lowest levels of binding. In vivo [3H]DHR binding wasmarkedly reduced by local and systemic infusion of rotenone and was enhancedby local NADH administration. There was an excellent correlation betweenregional levels of in vivo [3H]DHR binding and the in vitroactivities of complex II (succinate dehydrogenase) and complex IV (cytochromeoxidase), suggesting that the stoichiometry of these components of theelectron transport chain is relatively constant across brain regions. Theability to assay complex I in vivo should provide a valuable tool toinvestigate the status of this mitochondrial enzyme in the living brain andsuggests potential imaging techniques for complex I in humans.