Iron-sulfur clusters [4Fe-4S] are major components in biological electron transport (ET). Using the DFT/B3LYP method, we calculate electronic coupling for low- and high-potential ET between [4Fe-4S] clusters and explore its sensitivity to structural parameters of the system and external electric field. As an example, we consider a model of the bacterial respiratory complex I and estimate the role of neighboring amino acids in facilitating the ET process between the clusters. Our results suggest that the superex-change mechanism rather than hole hopping should be operative in ET between [4Fe-4S] redox centers. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.