Evidence is available showing that the coupling efficiency of the proton pump in cytochrome c oxidase of mitochondria can under certain conditions decrease significantly below the maximum attainable value. The view is developed that slips in the proton pump of cytochrome c oxidase represent an intrinsic switch mechanism which regulates the relative contribution of energy transfer and respiratory protection against oxygen toxicity by the oxidase.

Keywords:
Cytochrome c oxidase, proton pumps, reactive oxygen species, respiratory protection
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© 1997 Plenum Publishing Corporation
1997
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