Proton gradient mitochondria

As salicylate is a weak acid and has sufficient lipid solubility, it is able to diffuse across membranes. Thus, it can cross the mitochondrial membranes in its protonated form, releasing the proton into the matrix of the mitochondrion. By increasing the proton concentration, this dissipates the proton gradient and thus halts ATP production (Fig. 7.60). 

Some proteins, especially those destined for the eukaryotic mitochondria and chloroplasts, are transported after their synthesis on free polysomes is complete. Such transport is known as posttranslational transport. In the case of posttranslational transport it is believed that the polypeptide to be transported must be unfolded from its native folded configuration by a system of polypeptide-chain-binding proteins (PCBs) before it can pass through the membrane. Posttranslational transport into the mitochondrion requires both ATP and a proton gradient. Presumably the energy from one or both of these sources is used to unfold the protein or separate it from the PCB system so that it can pass through the membrane. 

In eukaryotic cells aerobic metabolism occurs within the mitochondrion. Acetyl-CoA, the oxidation product of pyruvate, fatty acids, and certain amino acids (not shown), is oxidized by the reactions of the citric acid cycle within the mitochondrial matrix. The principal products of the cycle are the reduced coenzymes NADH and FADH, and C02. The high-energy electrons of NADH and FADH2 are subsequently donated to the electron transport chain (ETC), a series of electron carriers in the inner membrane. The terminal electron acceptor for the ETC is 02. The energy derived from the electron transport mechanism drives ATP synthesis by creating a proton gradient across the inner membrane. The large folded surface of the inner membrane is studded with ETC complexes, numerous types of transport proteins, and ATP synthase, the enzyme complex responsible for ATP synthesis. 

How does brown fat generate heat and burn excess calories For the answer we must turn to the mitochondrion. In addition to the ATP synthase and the electron transport system proteins that are found in all mitochondria, there is a protein in the inner mitochondrial membrane of brown fat tissue called thermogenin. This protein has a channel in the center through which the protons (H ) of the intermembrane space could pass back into the mitochondrial matrix. Under normal conditions this channel is plugged by a GDP molecule so that it remains closed and the proton gradient can continue to drive ATP synthesis by oxidative phosphorylation. 

Four protein complexes, three ofthem function as proton pumps, are embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane and constitute essential components of the electron transport chain. Every complex consists of a different set of proteins with a variety of redox-active prosthetic groups. AU in all, through oxidation of NADH, a proton gradient between the matrix and the intermembrane space is created, which eventually drives the ATP synthase-complex. The correspondingly released electrons are consumed in the reduction of oxygen to water. Both, the NADH oxidation and the oxygen reduction, as well as the ATP synthesis, take place in the matrix of the mitochondrion (Fig. 8.14). 

Mitochondrion Red, iron-rich organelle that oxidizes acetate and fats to carbon dioxide, making a proton gradient that is used to make ATP with ATP synthase. Both the citric acid cycle and the respiration proteins are found here. 

Energy-linked transhydrogenase, a protein in the inner mitochondrial membrane, couples the passage of protons down the electrochemical gradient from outside to inside the mitochondrion with the transfer of H from intramitochondrial NADH to NADPH for intramitochondrial enzymes such as glutamate dehydrogenase and hydroxylases involved in steroid synthesis. 

What do I mean by a proton concentration gradient Simply, there is a higher concentration of protons in the space between the inner and outer membranes of the mitochondrion than in the mitochondrial interior. The gradient is formed from the energy released in the transfer of electrons down the electron transport chain. Put another way, the released energy is employed to pump protons across the inner mitochondrial membrane into the intermembrane space. 

Oxidizible substrates from glycolysis, fatty acid or protein catabolism enter the mitochondrion in the form of acetyl-CoA, or as other intermediaries of the Krebs cycle, which resides within the mitochondrial matrix. Reducing equivalents in the form of NADH and FADH pass electrons to complex I (NADH-ubiquinone oxidore-ductase) or complex II (succinate dehydrogenase) of the electron transport chain, respectively. Electrons pass from complex I and II to complex III (ubiquinol-cyto-chrome c oxidoreductase) and then to complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase) which accumulates four electrons and then tetravalently reduces O2 to water. Protons are pumped into the inner membrane space at complexes I, II and IV and then diffuse down their concentration gradient through complex V (FoFi-ATPase), where their potential energy is captured in the form of ATP. In this way, ATP formation is coupled to electron transport and the formation of water, a process termed oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). 

How Many Protons in a Mitochondrion Electron transfer translocates protons from the mitochondrial matrix to the external medium, establishing a pH gradient across the inner membrane (outside more acidic than inside). The tendency of protons to diffuse back into the matrix is the driving force for ATP synthesis by ATP synthase. During oxidative phosphorylation by a suspension of mitochondria in a medium of pH 7.4, the pH of the matrix has been measured as 7.7. 

Oxidative phosphorylation is ATP synthesis linked to the oxidation of NADH and FADH2 by electron transport through the respiratory chain. This occurs via a mechanism originally proposed as the chemiosmotic hypothesis. Energy liberated by electron transport is used to pump H+ ions out of the mitochondrion to create an electrochemical proton (H+) gradient. The protons flow back into the mitochondrion through the ATP synthase located in the inner mitochondrial membrane, and this drives ATP synthesis. Approximately three ATP molecules are synthesized per NADH oxidized and approximately two ATPs are synthesized per FADH2 oxidized. 

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