Conformation coupling hypothesis oxidative phosphorylation

The spatial separation between the components of the electron transport chain and the site of ATP synthesis was incompatible with simple interpretations of the chemical coupling hypothesis. In 1964, Paul Boyer suggested that conformational changes in components in the electron transport system consequent to electron transfer might be coupled to ATP formation, the conformational coupling hypothesis. No evidence for direct association has been forthcoming but conformational changes in the subunits of the FI particle are now included in the current mechanism for oxidative phosphorylation. 

Much investigative effort has been directed towards the elucidation of the coupling of the two aspects of oxidative phosphorylation. Historically, three mechanisms have been proposed the chemical coupling hypothesis, the chemiosmotic hypothesis and conformational coupling hypothesis. 

Throughout this discussion of oxidative phosphorylation, we have assumed that the coupling mechanisms involve the formation of high-energy intermediates. This chemical hypothesis is not accepted by all the chemiosmotic hypothesis of oxidative phosphorylation was proposed by Mitchell in 1961, and in 1966 Boyer [148] proposed a new hypothesis involving conformation coupling. 

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