Exercise induces sex-specific assembly of mitochondrial supercomplexes

Abstract

The mitochondrial respiratory complexes of the electron transport chain (ETC) form supramolecular structures known as supercomplexes (SCs) whose functions remain partially understood. An increase in carbohydrate oxidation, such as that induced by high-intensity contractions within skeletal muscle (SKM), has been proposed to promote the assembly of high molecular weight SCs (HMWSCs). Here, healthy, active young subjects (7 females and 9 males) performed a moderate- followed by a high-intensity exercise bout. We found that males increased the assembly of complex III (CIII) into SCs, particularly HMWSCs, in an intensity-dependent manner within SKM. Females showed a stable content of both HMWSCs and I+III2 SCs during exercise. In contrast, the assembly of CIV into SCs was not promoted by exercise in either sex. These findings indicate that the ETC complex organization can be modulated by exercise, and the mitochondrial supercomplex assembly in human SKM appears to be regulated in a sex-specific manner.