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Related Concept Videos

Electron Transport Chains01:28

Electron Transport Chains

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.
The ETC is comprised of...
Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

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.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...
The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane01:28

The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

The inner mitochondrial membrane is the primary site of ATP synthesis. The inner membrane domain that forms a smooth layer adjacent to the outer membrane is called the inner boundary membrane. This domain contains membrane transporters that drive metabolites in and out of the mitochondria.  In contrast, the inner membrane network that invaginates into the matrix space is called the cristae membrane. This domain accounts for principle mitochondrial function as it accommodates the protein...
Chemiosmosis01:32

Chemiosmosis

Oxidative phosphorylation is a highly efficient process that generates large amounts of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the basic unit of energy that drives many cellular processes. Oxidative phosphorylation involves two processes— the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis.
Electron Transport Chain
The electron transport chain involves a series of protein complexes on the inner mitochondrial membrane that undergo a series of redox reactions. At the end of this chain, the electrons reduce...
Mitochondrial Membranes01:45

Mitochondrial Membranes

A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...
Mitochondrial Membranes01:45

Mitochondrial Membranes

A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...

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Inner Mitochondrial Membrane Sensitivity to Na+ Reveals Partially Segmented Functional CoQ Pools
05:27

Inner Mitochondrial Membrane Sensitivity to Na+ Reveals Partially Segmented Functional CoQ Pools

Published on: July 20, 2022

Mitochondrial ion circuits.

David G Nicholls1

  • 1Buck Institute for Age Research, 8001 Redwood Boulevard, Novato, CA 94945, USA. dnicholls@buckcenter.org

Essays in Biochemistry
|June 11, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mitochondrial proton circuits connect energy production to utilization. These circuits can be measured to assess mitochondrial function and dysfunction.

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Published on: July 20, 2022

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Published on: October 26, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Bioenergetics

Background:

  • Proton circuits across the inner mitochondrial membrane are crucial for cellular energy metabolism.
  • These circuits link electron transport chain complexes to energy-consuming processes like ATP synthesis and metabolite transport.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the role of proton circuits in mitochondrial energy transfer.
  • To highlight methods for monitoring these circuits in various biological preparations.

Main Methods:

  • Monitoring proton circuits in isolated mitochondrial preparations and intact cells.
  • Utilizing primary proton circuit techniques to measure proton current and electrochemical potential in parallel.

Main Results:

  • Proton circuits quantitatively link energy generation (electron transport chain) to energy utilization (ATP synthase, proton leak, metabolite transport, ion transport).
  • Established techniques allow for parallel assessment of proton current and electrochemical potential.

Conclusions:

  • Mitochondrial proton circuits are key regulators of cellular energy balance.
  • Quantitative assessment of these circuits provides a valuable tool for evaluating mitochondrial function and identifying dysfunction.