Membrane potential generation by cytochrome <i>bd</i>

Abstract

This treatise gives an overview of current thinking on the mechanism of generation of a transmembrane electric potential difference (Δψ) during the catalytic cycle of a bd-type triheme terminal quinol oxidase. It is assumed that the main contribution to the Δψ formation is made by the movement of H+ across the membrane along the intraprotein hydrophilic proton-conducting pathway from the cytoplasm to the active site for oxygen reduction of this bacterial enzyme.