Mitchell 1967 Nature

Mitchell P (1967) Proton current flow in mitochondrial systems. Nature 214:1327–8.

» https://www.nature.com/articles/2141327a0

Mitchell P (1967) Nature

Abstract: Following recent publications in Nature on hydrogen ion concentrations and flows in mitochondria [1–5], Baum [6] (see preceding communication) has aptly drawn attention to the fact that the chemiosmotic hypothesis does not require a significant pH-difference across the mitochondrial membrane system [7]. In the original outline of the hypothesis [8] it was shown that the major component of the protonmotive force (p.m.f.) should be a membrane potential. Admitting therefore that the experimental facts may be consistent with the driving of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis by a proton current that flows through the reversible ATPase system in the cristae membrane under a mainly electrical p.m.f., Baum [6] has asked how the very small number of free protons in the inner aqueous phase of a mitochondrion or sub-mitochondrial particle can permit the flow of an effective proton current, and whether there may not be special energetic obstacles to proton translocation in such small systems.

• Bioblast editor: Gnaiger E

Labels: MiParea: Respiration 

Preparation: Isolated mitochondria 

Regulation: pH