UC Davis

In aerobic cells, the proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis is created by three different proton pumps-membrane enzymes of the respiratory electron transport chain known as complex I, III, and IV. Despite the striking dissimilarity of structures and apparent differences in molecular mechanisms of proton pumping, all three enzymes have much in common and employ the same universal physical principles of converting redox energy to proton pumping. In this study, we describe a simple mathematical model that illustrates the general principles of redox-driven proton pumps and discuss their implementation in complex I, III, and IV of the respiratory chain.