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Is there sufficient experimental evidence to consider the mitochondrial cytochromebc 1 complex a proton pump? Probably no.

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Abstract

The electron flow through the cytochromebc 1 complex of the mitochondrial respiratory chain is accompanied by vectorial proton translocation, though the mechanism of the latter phenomenon has not yet been clarified. Several proposed hypotheses are briefly presented and discussed here. Recently, a number of papers have appeared claiming the existence of a proton pump in the enzyme mainly on the basis of the interaction of the complex with N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. These data are reviewed here with the aim of showing their ability to fit multiple interpretations. This together with some other arguments leads to the conclusion that a proton pump in the mitochondrialbc 1 complex has not yet been demonstrated.

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  1. Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 3 Pasteur St., 02-093, Warsaw, Poland

    Maciej J. Nałęcz

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  1. Maciej J. Nałęcz
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This article is dedicated to the memory of my friend and long-time close collaborator Dr. Robert P. Casey who has passed away after a short, tragic illness at the age of 34.

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Nałęcz, M.J. Is there sufficient experimental evidence to consider the mitochondrial cytochromebc 1 complex a proton pump? Probably no.. J Bioenerg Biomembr 18, 21–38 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00743610

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