The electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF) serves as a specific electron acceptor for various mitochondrial dehydrogenases. ETF transfers electrons to the main respiratory chain via ETF-ubiquinone oxidoreductase. ETF is a heterodimer, consisting of an alpha and a beta subunit, which binds one molecule of FAD per dimer. A similar system also exists in some bacteria. The homologous pair of proteins (FixA/FixB) are essential for nitrogen fixation. The beta subunit is distantly related to and forms a heterodimer with the alpha subunit.