Abstract

1. Oxidation of ferrocytochrome c by cytochrome c oxidase incorporated into proteoliposomes induces a transient acidification of the external medium. This change is dependent on the presence of valinomycin and can be abolished by carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone or by nigericin. The H+/e- ratio for the initial acidification varies with the internal buffering capacity of the vesicles, and under suitable conditions approaches + 1, the pulse slowly decaying to give a net alkalinity change with H+/e- value approaching -1. 2. Inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase turnover by ferricytochrome c or by azide addition results in ferrocytochrome c-dependent H+ pulses with decreasing H+/e- ratios. The rate of the initial H+ production remains higher than the rate of equilibration of the pH gradient, indicating an intrinsic dependence of the H+/e- ratio on enzyme turnover. The final net alkalinity changes are relatively unaffected by turnover inhibition.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.