title: A possible role of slips in cytochrome C oxidase in the antioxygen defense system of the cell.
abstract: Evidence is available showing that the coupling efficiency of the proton pump in cytochrome c oxidase of mitochondria can under certain conditions decrease significantly below the maximum attainable value. The view is developed that slips in the proton pump of cytochrome c oxidase represent an intrinsic switch mechanism which regulates the relative contribution of energy transfer and respiratory protection against oxygen toxicity by the oxidase.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Chemistry Medical Faculty, University of Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Papa
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guerrieri
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Capitanio
mesh_terms: D004579:Electron Transport; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000201:enzymology; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010100:Oxygen / Q000633:toxicity*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D017494:Proton Pumps / Q000378:metabolism; D011522:Protons; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017494:Proton Pumps; D011522:Protons; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; D010100:Oxygen