File:Gnaiger 2001 Respir Physiol New Fig10.jpg

Opposite effects of ADP limitation and oxygen limitation on mitochondrial membrane potential, and LEAK oxygen flux, J_L,O2. The LEAK state is obtained when total oxygen flux equals LEAK respiration. In all other respiratory states, total oxygen flux is the sum of LEAK oxygen flux and mechanistically coupled oxygen flux. A: ADP limitation of respiration at high oxygen levels in the transition from the OXPHOS state (P, saturating ADP) or active State 3 (high ADP) to the resting LEAK state, L (compare State 4), leads to an increase of membrane potential and exponential acceleration of the proton leak (heavy line). Because LEAK oxygen flux increases while total oxygen flux is reduced, the ATP yield (ADP/O₂ flux ratio) declines to zero. Turnover-dependent proton leak increases the LEAK oxygen flux in the OXPHOS state but declines towards the LEAK state (Garlid et al 1993). Mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increases with membrane potential towards the LEAK state, and ROS-linked electron bypass (electron leak) contributes minimally to LEAK oxygen flux at high oxygen (Gnaiger et al 2000). On the right, the decline of ADP/O₂ flux ratios is shown in the transition from OXPHOS to LEAK. B: Oxygen limitation of respiration causes a reduction of membrane potential in the transition from ADP limitation at high oxygen, to intracellular conditions of low oxygen and low ADP, to finally severe oxygen limitation under hypoxia and anoxia. Potentially synergistic with the well documented membrane potential effect on LEAK flux, are the hypothetical effects of decreasing membrane permeability and suppression of ROS production under severe hypoxia, whereas intermediary levels of hypoxia may increase ROS production (modified from Gnaiger 2001; see original publication for further references).