RNAi-generated hypomorphic C. elegans strains for 28 nDNA-encoded complex I subunits and 2 complex I assembly factors were studied by a gene knockdown approach in strains exposed for 3 generations to RNAi.

Individual subunits significantly vary in their relative impairment of complex I-dependent OXPHOS capacity, enhancement of complex II-dependent OXPHOS capacity, alteration of respiratory complex quantity, and impact on whole worm anesthetic behavior. Subunit numbering is maintained from Table 1. qPCR confirmation of target gene RNAi knockdown in whole worm populations of each preparation is presented as mean percent knockdown across all biological replicates relative to N2. OB, Open Biosystems. GS, GeneService. Ind, indeterminate.*, comparison to N2 worms grown on HT115 E. coli. Malate and succinate were OXPHOS substrates for complex I- or II-dependent integrated respiratory capacity, respectively. Complex I and V content was studied by blue native gel (BNG) electrophoresis in strains where isolated mitochondria remained.**, EC50 indicates percent anesthetic at which half of worm population was immobilized. Halothane EC50 for N2 is 3.2%. Reported p values were obtained by non-parametric statistical analysis.