Energy transduction: proton transfer through the respiratory complexes.
A series of metalloprotein complexes embedded in a mitochondrial or bacterial membrane utilize electron transfer reactions to pump protons across the membrane and create an electrochemical potential (DeltamuH+). Current understanding of the principles of electron-driven proton transfer is discussed, mainly with respect to the wealth of knowledge available from studies of cytochrome c oxidase. Structural, experimental, and theoretical evidence supports the model of long-distance proton transfer via hydrogen-bonded water chains in proteins as well as the basic concept that proton uptake and release in a redox-driven pump are driven by charge changes at the membrane-embedded centers. Key elements in the pumping mechanism may include bound water, carboxylates, and the heme propionates, arginines, and associated water above the hemes. There is evidence for an important role of subunit III and proton backflow, but the number and nature of gating mechanisms remain elusive, as does the mechanism of physiological control of efficiency.
Hosler
Jonathan P
JP
Department of Biochemistry, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi 39216, USA. jhosler@biochem.umsmed.edu
Ferguson-Miller
Shelagh
S
Mills
Denise A
DA
D001665:Binding Sites; D004579:Electron Transport / Q000502:physiology*; D045222:Electron Transport Chain Complex Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006418:Heme / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010085:Oxidative Phosphorylation; D011487:Protein Conformation; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011522:Protons; D055672:Static Electricity; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D045222:Electron Transport Chain Complex Proteins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D011522:Protons; D014867:Water; D006418:Heme; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV