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Related Concept Videos

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II01:46

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 IV01:43

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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...
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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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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...
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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 FADH₂ 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...
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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 28, 2026

High-Resolution Respirometry to Assess Bioenergetics in Cells and Tissues Using Chamber- and Plate-Based Respirometers
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Hydration-Controlled Proton Transport in Respiratory Complex I.

Jong Ho Choi1, Gregory A Voth1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Chicago Center for Theoretical Chemistry, James Franck Institute, and Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States.

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Proton pumping in respiratory complex I is regulated by hydration. Transient water pathways facilitate proton transfer, controlling the initiation of proton pumping essential for ATP synthesis.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Mitochondrial Respiration

Background:

  • Proton pumping by respiratory complex I is crucial for mitochondrial ATP synthesis.
  • The exact mechanism linking ubiquinone reduction to proton translocation remains unclear.
  • A proposed lateral pathway involves ND1, ND3, and ND4L subunits, with potential hydration-dependent regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanism of proton translocation initiation in respiratory complex I.
  • To investigate the role of hydration in proton transfer through the proposed lateral pathway.
  • To understand the regulation of proton pumping at the molecular level.

Main Methods:

  • Multiscale reactive molecular dynamics (MS-RMD) simulations.
  • Analysis of water wire connectivity.
  • Thermodynamic feasibility assessment of proton transfer coupled to hydration.

Main Results:

  • Proton transfer is thermodynamically feasible under conditions of transient hydration and excess proton availability.
  • Strong coupling between local hydration and proton transfer (PT) was identified in complex I.
  • Proton injection dynamically enhances local hydration, opening the proton transfer pathway.

Conclusions:

  • Hydration plays a critical role in regulating proton pumping in respiratory complex I.
  • The findings support a model where dynamic hydration controls the onset of proton translocation.
  • This mechanism is essential for efficient ATP synthesis in mitochondria.