Abstract
WE have recently reported that when suspensions of intact rat liver mitochondria hydrolyse ATP, oxidize succinate, or oxidize β-hydroxybutyrate, protons are translocated (written →H+) outwards through the mitochondrial membrane with stoichiometries closely approximating to →H+/P = 2, →H+/O = 4 and →H+/O = 6 respectively1. These observations are in close accord with the requirements of the chemiosmotic hypothesis, according to which electron transport and phosphorylation are coupled by the proton current flowing cyclically through the respiratory chain and reversible ATPase systems across the cristae membrane2; but they could also be explained according to the chemical hypothesis, by invoking a proton pump driven by hydrolysis of X ∼ I, either directly, or via the ‘W complex’ suggested by Lardy, Connelly and Johnson3. We have, therefore, sought more crucial experimental tests of the alternative hypotheses.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Mitchell, P., and Moyle, J., Nature, 208, 147 (1965).
Mitchell, P., Nature, 191, 144 (1961). Mitchell, P., Biochem. Soc. Symp., 22, 142 (1962). Mitchell, P., in Regulation of Metabolic Processes in Mitochondria, edit. by Quagliariello, E., Slater, E. C., Papa, S., and Tager, J. M., 7, 65 (B.B.A. Library, Elsevier, 1966).
Lardy, H. A., Connelly, J. L., and Johnson, D., Biochemistry, 3, 1961 (1964).
Racker, E., Adv. Enzymol., 23, 323 (1961).
Lee, C. P., and Ernster, L., in Regulation of Metabolic Processes in Mitochondria, edit. by Quagliariello, E., Slater, E. C., Papa, S., and Tager, J. M., 7 (B.B.A. Library, Elsevier, 1966).
Löw, H., Vallin, I., and Alm, B., in Energy-Linked Functions of Mitochondria, edit. by Chance, B., 5 (Academic Press, 1963).
Löw, H., and Vallin, I., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 69, 361 (1963).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MITCHELL, P., MOYLE, J. Evidence discriminating between the Chemical and the Chemiosmotic Mechanisms of Electron Transport Phosphorylation. Nature 208, 1205–1206 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1038/2081205a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/2081205a0
This article is cited by
-
Mitochondrial Damage and Hypertension: Another Dark Side of Sodium Excess
Current Nutrition Reports (2023)
-
In vivo imaging of mitochondrial membrane potential in non-small-cell lung cancer
Nature (2019)
-
Control of transmembrane charge transfer in cytochrome c oxidase by the membrane potential
Nature Communications (2018)
-
Voltage-dependent anion channels: their roles in plant defense and cell death
Plant Cell Reports (2009)
-
Methods for the assessment of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization in apoptosis
Apoptosis (2007)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
