Redox‐linked proton translocation in the b–c1 complex from beef‐heart mitochondria reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles

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Abstract
A study is presented of the characteristics of redox‐linked proton translocation in the b–c1 complex isolated from beef‐heart mitochondria and reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles. Measurements of the H+/e− stoichiometry, with three different methods, show that four protons are released from the vesicles per 2e− flowing from quinols to cytochrome c, two of these protons formally deriving from scalar oxidation of quinols by cytochrome c. This H+/e− stoicheiometry is independent of the initial redox state of the b–c1 complex (fully reduced or oxidized) and the rate of electron flow through the complex. It does not change in the pH range 6.0–7.2, but declines to 1.5 going with pH from 7.2–8.3. This decrease is accompanied by enhancement of the rate of electron flow in the coupled state. Collapse of ΔΨ effected by valinomycin addition to turning‐over b–c1 vesicles resulted in substantial oxidation of cytochrome b‐566 and comparable reduction of cytochrome c1, with little oxidation of cytochrome b‐562. Nigericin alone had no effect on the steady‐state redox levels of b and c cytochromes. Its addition in the presence of valinomycin caused oxidation of b cytochromes but no change in the redox state of cytochrome c1. Valinomycin alone caused a marked enhancement of the rate of electron flow through the complex. Nigericin alone was ineffective, but caused further stimulation of electron flow when added in the presence of valinomycin. The data presented are discussed in terms of two mechanisms: the Q cycle and a model based on combination of protonmotive catalysis by special bound quinone and proton conduction along pathways in the apoproteins.