The invention relates to a method for combating disorders affecting the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system by allotopic expression of the cyanide-insensitive alternative oxidase (AOX) in human cells. Successful expression of AOX in human cells and in Drosophila has been shown to confer spectacular cyanide-resistance to mitochondria, to alleviate oxidative stress, susceptibility to apoptosis and metabolic acidosis. AOX is well tolerated when expressed ubiquitously in a whole organism. AOX expression is a valuable tool to limit the deleterious consequences of respiratory chain deficiency.
