The structure of mammalian complex IV. Mammalian complex IV comprises 13 different subunits. In detail, subunits I-III compose the catalytic core of the enzyme, which are all synthesized from mitochondrial DNA. By contrast, the remaining subunits (IV, Va, Vb, VIa, VIb, VIc, VIIa, VIIb, VIIc, VIII) are synthesized from cellular nuclear DNA.