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Electron Transport Chain Components

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The electron transport chain (ETC) is a crucial metabolic pathway that facilitates energy conversion in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In eukaryotes, the ETC comprises four membrane-associated protein complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane. In prokaryotes, the ETC in the plasma membrane can vary in composition, with fewer or different complexes depending on the organism and environmental conditions. These complexes transfer electrons from electron donors, such as NADH and FADH2, to...

Electron Transport Chains

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The final stage of cellular respiration is oxidative phosphorylation that consists of two steps: the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis. The electron transport chain is a set of proteins found in the inner mitochondrial membrane in eukaryotic cells. Its primary function is to establish a proton gradient that can be used during chemiosmosis to produce ATP and generate electron carriers, such as NAD+ and FAD, that are used in glycolysis and the citric acid cycle.
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Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

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The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
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Electron Transport Chain: Complex III and IV

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During the electron transport chain, electrons from NADH and FADH2 are first transferred to complexes I and II, respectively. These two complexes then transfer the electrons to ubiquinol, which carries them further to complex III. Complex III passes the electrons across the intermembrane space to Cyt c, which carries them further to complex IV. Complex IV donates electrons to oxygen and reduces it to water. As electrons pass through complexes I, III, and IV, the energy released aids the pumping...

The Supercomplexes in the Crista Membrane

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The mitochondrial cristae membrane is the primary site for the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) process of energy conversion mediated through respiratory complexes I to V. These complexes have been widely studied for decades, and it has been proven that they form supramolecular structures called respiratory supercomplexes (SC). These higher-order complexes may be crucial in maintaining the biochemical structure and improving the physiological activity of the individual complexes while...

The Electron Transport Chain

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The electron transport chain or oxidative phosphorylation is an exothermic process in which free energy released during electron transfer reactions is coupled to ATP synthesis. This process is a significant source of energy in aerobic cells, and therefore inhibitors of the electron transport chain can be detrimental to the cell's metabolic processes.
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Characterizing Mediated Extracellular Electron Transfer in Lactic Acid Bacteria with a Three-Electrode, Two-Chamber Bioelectrochemical System

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A membrane anchored DNA-based energy/electron transfer assembly.

Karl Börjesson¹, John Tumpane, Thomas Ljungdahl

¹Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-41296 Gothenburg, Sweden.

Nucleic Acids Symposium Series (2004)

|September 9, 2008

Summary

Researchers developed a supramolecular assembly to convert light energy into chemical energy. This system utilizes a DNA-templated structure to trap light energy as a benzoquinone radical anion for potential chemical applications.

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Area of Science:

Biophysical chemistry
Supramolecular chemistry
Photochemistry

Background:

Harnessing light energy for chemical reactions is crucial for sustainable energy solutions.
Supramolecular assemblies offer precise control over molecular organization and energy transfer.
DNA nanotechnology provides a versatile platform for constructing complex molecular architectures.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the trapping and conversion of visible light energy into chemical energy.
To design and characterize a novel supramolecular assembly for light energy conversion.
To explore the potential of a benzoquinone radical anion as a chemical energy storage intermediate.

Main Methods:

Construction of a supramolecular assembly comprising a light-absorbing antenna, porphyrin redox center, and DNA strand.
Covalent attachment of the antenna and redox center to a DNA scaffold.
Immobilization of the DNA-based assembly onto a lipid membrane.
Spectroscopic analysis to monitor energy transfer and radical anion formation.

Main Results:

Successful assembly of the light-harvesting system on a lipid membrane.
Demonstration of efficient visible light energy trapping by the supramolecular structure.
Formation of a stable benzoquinone radical anion as the final energy storage product.
Evidence of energy transfer from the antenna to the porphyrin and subsequent trapping.

Conclusions:

The developed supramolecular assembly effectively converts visible light energy into chemical energy.
DNA serves as a robust scaffold for organizing photoactive and redox-active components.
The benzoquinone radical anion represents a promising intermediate for subsequent chemical transformations.
This approach offers a potential pathway for artificial photosynthesis and renewable energy technologies.