Using EPR spectroscopy to monitor the integrity of the enzyme, conditions have been established which allow specific immunoprecipitation of the succinate dehydrogenase complex of Escherichia coli. The enzyme complex precipitated from Lubrol PX-solubilized membranes by monospecific antiserum in the presence of a cocktail of protease inhibitors contains four polypeptides of apparent MrS 71,000, 26,000, 17,000, and 15,000. The 71-kDa flavopeptide is readily susceptible to proteolysis, and the enzyme complex shows unusual facile dissociation. Spectroscopic measurements indicate the presence of a [2Fe-2S] cluster (Center 1), a [3Fe-xS] cluster (Center 3), and a b-type cytochrome. In addition, a change in relaxation of Center 1 at low potentials is indicative of Center 2. Midpoint redox potentials of Centers 1-3 for both the membrane-bound and detergent-solubilized enzyme were estimated to be +10 mV, -175 mV, and +65 mV, respectively.