[The role of membrane phospholipids in oxidative phosphorylation. A hypothesis of LC-coupling]

The role of lipid (pentadienyl) radicals and Mitchell's "C-elements" was analyzed. The function of the "C-elements" is necessary, but not enough for coupling of oxidation and phosphorylation. It was proposed that oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria membrane is the result of a direct coupling, involving participation of the "LC-elements" (where L and C reflect the inductive and capacitive character of the transformation device). The "L-elements" (the short pi-system) are lipid (pentadienyl) radicals formed in polyunsaturated fatty acids of phospholipids.