a-Tocopheryl succinate (a-TOS) is a selective inducer of apoptosis in cancer cells, which involves the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The molecular target of a-TOS has not been identified. Here, we show that a-TOS inhibits succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity of complex II (CII) by interacting with the proximal and distal ubiquinone (UbQ)-binding site (Q P and Q D , respectively). This is based on biochemical analyses and molecular modelling, revealing similar or stronger interaction energy of a-TOS compared to that of UbQ for the Q P and Q D sites, respectively. CybL-mutant cells with dysfunctional CII failed to accumulate ROS and underwent apoptosis in the presence of a-TOS. Similar resistance was observed when CybL was knocked down with siRNA. Reconstitution of functional CII rendered CybL-mutant cells susceptible to a-TOS. We propose that a-TOS displaces UbQ in CII causing electrons generated by SDH to recombine with molecular oxygen to yield ROS. Our data highlight CII, a known tumour suppressor, as a novel target for cancer therapy.

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