MAC - Week 05 Lecture 3 - Oxidative phosphorylation and the electron transport chain_IT_ARP

Page 1: Overview of Oxidative Phosphorylation

  • Oxidative phosphorylation involves the electron transport chain (ETC) located in the mitochondrial inner membrane.

  • Key components in the process include hydrogen ions (H+), electron carriers, and various complexes (I-IV).

  • Process

    • H+ ions are pumped into the intermembrane space via the ETC, creating a gradient.

    • Electrons from NADH and FADH2 travel through the complexes to reduce oxygen, forming water.

Page 2: Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the generation of proton motive force in mitochondria.

  • Comprehend the functions of ETC complexes: I-IV, CoQ, and cytochrome c.

  • Learn the regulation of mitochondrial ATP synthase and implications of mitochondrial diseases.

Page 3: Glucose Metabolism Recap

  • Glucose is metabolized into pyruvate through glycolysis.

  • Pyruvate is converted to acetyl-CoA in mitochondria and enters the TCA cycle.

  • TCA cycle generates NADH and FADH2, which are essential for ATP production.

Page 4: Mitochondrial Compartment Structure

  • Main Functional Compartmentsi. Outer membraneii. Intermembrane spaceiii. Inner membraneiv. Cristaev. Matrix (central space)

Page 5: Mitochondrial Dynamics

  • Mitochondria are dynamic organelles, constantly fusing and dividing.

  • They form long and branched structures, varying in number per cell based on energy demands.

Page 6: Inner Membrane Characteristics

  • The inner membrane lacks porins, making it highly impermeable.

  • It contains cardiolipin, which enhances membrane stability, and is rich in proteins (76%), folded into cristae.

Page 7: Function of the Electron Transport Chain

  • The ETC (respiratory chain) converts energy from high-energy electrons in NADH and FADH2 into ATP.

  • This occurs through a series of four complexes (I-IV), facilitating electron transfer and proton pumping.

Page 8: Learning Outcomes Reiterated

  • Similar learning outcomes as listed on Page 2.

Page 9: Hydrogen Ion Gradient Creation

  • Water can dissociate into hydroxyl ions (OH-) and hydrogen ions (H+), impacting reactions.

  • Hydrogen ions are crucial as they represent protons that contribute to the electrochemical gradient.

Page 10: Hydrogen Ion Pumping

  • The ETC pumps H+ ions from the matrix to the intermembrane space via its four protein complexes.

Page 11: Generation of Proton Motive Force

  • Proton motive force (PMF) arises from the H+ concentration gradient and membrane voltage.

  • This results in a strong electrochemical potential, driving protons back into the matrix.

Page 12: ATP Generation Mechanism

  • ATP synthase uses PMF to convert ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) into ATP as H+ ions flow back into the matrix.

Page 13: Electron Pathway

  • Pathway of electrons: NADH -> Complex I -> CoQ -> Complex III -> Cyt c -> Complex IV -> O2.

  • Remember the sequence for better comprehension.

Page 14: Learning Outcomes Reiterated

  • Similar learning outcomes as listed on previous pages.

Page 15: Complex I: NADH Dehydrogenase

  • NADH donates electrons to complex I, which transfers them to Coenzyme Q (CoQ).

  • Simultaneously, complex I pumps 4 H+ ions from the matrix into the intermembrane space.

Page 16: Complex II: Succinate-CoQ Reductase

  • Complex II connects the TCA cycle to the ETC, converting succinate to fumarate and producing FADH2.

  • It does not pump protons directly but passes energy to CoQ.

Page 17: Complex III: CoQH2-Cytochrome C Reductase

  • Collects energy from CoQ, transferring electrons to cytochrome c while pumping 2 H+ ions out of the matrix.

Page 18: Complex IV: Cytochrome C Oxidase

  • Receives electrons from cytochrome c and transfers them to molecular oxygen, producing water and pumping another H+ into the intermembrane space.

Page 19: Coenzyme Q (CoQ)

  • Coenzyme Q diffuses in the inner mitochondrial membrane, accepting 2 electrons at a time and becoming CoQH2.

Page 20: Cytochrome c

  • A small, water-soluble protein that carries one electron at a time between the ETC complexes in the intermembrane space.

Page 21: Quiz Time

Page 22: Haem Groups in Electron Transport

  • Haem groups facilitate electron transport; the central iron atom can transition between Fe2+ and Fe3+.

  • They are composed of a common iron atom and porphyrin ring, each able to shuttle one electron.

Page 23: Iron-Sulfur Clusters

  • Iron-sulfur clusters in complexes II and III transport electrons using inorganic sulfur and cysteine-derived sulfur atoms.

  • They can only transfer one electron at a time.

Page 24: Overview of the Electron Transport Chain

  • Electrons from NADH and FADH2 travel through the electron transport chain complexes sequentially to provide energy for ATP synthesis.

Page 25: Identify Proteins Quiz

Page 26: ATP Synthase Structure

  • ATP synthase consists of two main subcomplexes (F0 and F1) crucial for ATP production.

Page 27: Proton Transit through ATP Synthase

  • The mechanism allows protons to transit through ATP synthase, facilitating ATP production through rotation.

Page 28: Rotation Mechanism of ATP Synthase

  • The γ and c units rotate to allow protons to pass, while the α and β units remain static, acting as a tightening mechanism.

Page 29: Proton-Induced Rotation

  • Protons affect the c unit of ATP synthase, causing rotation and facilitating ATP synthesis.

Page 30: ATP Synthesis Mechanism

  • The rotation of the γ subunit induces a squeezing action that phosphorylates ADP to produce ATP.

Page 31: ATP Production Summary

  • For each complete rotation of the γ unit, 3 ATP molecules are synthesized.

Page 32: ADP/ATP Antiporter Function

  • The antiporter shuttles synthesized ATP out of the matrix, allowing ADP and phosphate to enter for continuous ATP synthesis.

Page 33: PMF and ATP Export

  • The proton motive force drives the movement of OH- and charged ATP molecules through various transporters, ensuring a co-exchange process.

Page 34: Learning Outcomes Reiterated

  • Similar learning outcomes as listed on previous pages.

Page 35: Respiratory Control Mechanism

  • When ADP levels drop, ATP synthase halts, leading to an accumulation of H+ and a blockage of the ETC, thereby regulating energy production.

Page 36: Inhibitors of Electron Transport

  • Various inhibitors directly block the electron transport chain at specific complexes, affecting ATP synthesis:

    • Complex I - Rotenone

    • Complex II - Carboxin

    • Complex III - Antimycin

    • Complex IV - Cyanide, Azide, Carbon Monoxide

    • ATP Synthase - Oligomycin

Page 37: Uncouplers of Electron Transport

  • Uncouplers dissipate the proton gradient without directly blocking electron transport, leading to a 'leak' that reduces ATP synthesis.

Page 38: 2,4-Dinitrophenol as Uncoupler

  • Synthetic uncoupler that allows protons to cross the membrane, collapsing the H+ gradient and ceasing ATP synthesis.

Page 39: Thermogenin as Natural Uncoupler

  • Uncoupling protein that generates heat by allowing protons to return to the matrix without ATP synthesis, found in brown adipose tissue.

Page 40: Brown Fat in Babies

  • Babies have high brown fat deposits to maintain body temperature and counteract heat loss due to large surface area.

Page 41: Brown Fat in Adults

  • Some adults retain small amounts of brown fat, which can significantly increase caloric burn and aid in weight management.

Page 42: Quiz Time

Page 43: Mitochondrial Genetics Overview

  • Mitochondria require approximately 1,000 proteins to function, but only 13 are encoded by mitochondrial DNA - the rest by nuclear DNA.

Page 44: Mitochondrial Gene Transmission

  • Mitochondrial DNA is maternally inherited, showing non-Mendelian inheritance patterns affecting progeny.

Page 45: Nuclear Gene Contributions to ETC

  • Complexes I-IV contain proteins coded by nuclear DNA, displaying standard genetic inheritance alongside mitochondrial DNA.

Page 46: Learning Outcomes Reiterated

  • Similar learning outcomes as listed on previous pages.

Page 47: Mitochondrial Diseases

  • Genetic disorders linked to mitochondrial or nuclear DNA affecting mitochondrial function, presenting varied severity levels.

Page 48: Heteroplasmy in Egg Cells

  • Random mutations may result in egg cells with varying proportions of defective mitochondria, complicating inheritance.

Page 49: Origins of Mitochondrial Disease

  • Most mitochondrial diseases are inherited, with only 15% due to mitochondrial DNA mutations; the majority are nuclear gene-based.

Page 50: Symptoms of Mitochondrial Disease

  • Symptoms vary widely ranging from mild exercise intolerance to severe conditions like myopathy and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Page 51: Examples of Mitochondrial Diseases

  • Various diseases include mitochondrial myopathy, diabetes and deafness syndrome, neuropathy, and mtDNA depletion syndrome.

Page 52: Diagnosing Mitochondrial Diseases

  • Common diagnostic tests include Southern blot and PCR to identify mutations in muscle biopsy samples.

Page 53: Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome

  • A severe disorder reducing mitochondrial DNA levels, affecting muscle, liver, and brain function, often fatal in infancy.

Page 54: Genetic Testing Case Study

  • Charlie Gard’s condition was linked to mutations in the nuclear gene RRM2B, impairing DNA replication in mitochondria, affecting treatment options.

Page 55: Summary of Key Processes

  • H+ ions pumped by complexes I, III, and IV, and the electron pathway from NADH/FADH2 to oxygen producing ATP.

Page 56: Reading Recommendations

  • Alberts et al. "Essential Cell Biology" Chapter 14 (pages 453-476): Overview of oxidative phosphorylation.