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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...
Chemiosmosis and ATP Synthesis01:22

Chemiosmosis and ATP Synthesis

The electron transport chain is a critical component of cellular respiration, occurring in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It facilitates the transfer of high-energy electrons from reduced cofactors NADH and FADHâ‚‚ to molecular oxygen, the final electron acceptor. This transfer of electrons through a series of protein complexes is tightly coupled to the translocation of protons across the membrane, generating a proton gradient essential for ATP synthesis.Electron Flow and Proton...
Energy to Drive Translocation01:37

Energy to Drive Translocation

Mitochondrial protein import is powered by two distinct energy sources: ATP hydrolysis and electrochemical potential across the inner membrane. Newly synthesized precursors are bound by cytosolic chaperones of the Hsp70 family, which guide them to the import receptors on the mitochondrial surface. Utilizing the energy of ATP hydrolysis, Hsp70 chaperones transfer these precursors to the TOM receptors on the mitochondrial outer membrane.
Generally, polypeptides are unfolded by two distinct...
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...
The Supercomplexes in the Crista Membrane01:41

The Supercomplexes in the Crista Membrane

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...
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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Measuring Liver Mitochondrial Oxygen Consumption and Proton Leak Kinetics to Estimate Mitochondrial Respiration in Holstein Dairy Cattle
08:29

Measuring Liver Mitochondrial Oxygen Consumption and Proton Leak Kinetics to Estimate Mitochondrial Respiration in Holstein Dairy Cattle

Published on: November 30, 2018

Mitochondrial proton and electron leaks.

Martin Jastroch1, Ajit S Divakaruni, Shona Mookerjee

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

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

Mitochondrial proton and electron leak impact cellular energy and reactive oxygen species. Understanding these leaks, particularly through anion carriers and electron transport chain complexes, is key for therapeutic targets in metabolic regulation.

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Measuring Liver Mitochondrial Oxygen Consumption and Proton Leak Kinetics to Estimate Mitochondrial Respiration in Holstein Dairy Cattle
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Area of Science:

  • Mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics.
  • Cellular respiration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

Background:

  • Mitochondrial proton and electron leak significantly influence coupling efficiency and ROS generation.
  • Basal proton leak is largely mediated by mitochondrial anion carriers, while inducible leak involves adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) and uncoupling proteins (UCPs).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms and physiological roles of basal and inducible proton leak pathways.
  • To investigate the mechanisms and relevance of electron leak from the mitochondrial electron transport chain.
  • To highlight proton and electron leak as potential therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Review of molecular nature and physiological importance of basal and inducible proton leak pathways.
  • Analysis of electron leak mechanisms and topology from mitochondrial complexes I and III using isolated mitochondria.
  • Discussion of challenges and progress in assessing electron leak in living cells.

Main Results:

  • Basal proton leak is primarily attributed to mitochondrial anion carriers and is cell-type specific, correlating with metabolic rate.
  • Inducible proton leak via ANT and UCPs can be activated by various factors, with UCP1's role in heat production established in mammals.
  • Electron leak from the mitochondrial electron transport chain, particularly complexes I and III, results in superoxide production.

Conclusions:

  • Proton and electron leak are critical determinants of mitochondrial function and cellular redox state.
  • Further research into the roles of UCPs and electron leak mechanisms is needed.
  • Targeting mitochondrial leak pathways offers therapeutic potential for regulating body mass and improving insulin secretion.