Complex I, also known as NADH:quinone oxidoreductase, is a pivotal enzyme in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. It plays a crucial role in cellular energy production by catalyzing the transfer of electrons from NADH to ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10), coupled with the translocation of protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane. This action is fundamental for the generation of an electrochemical gradient, which drives the synthesis of ATP, the primary energy currency of the cell.
