Mitochondrial Q cycle-derived superoxide and chemiosmotic bioenergetics

We examined the intrinsic relation between two interdependent and interacted processes, namely, chemiosmotic energy coupling partition and redox signaling involved in mitochondrial respiration. The following aspects of research were conducted and discussed: generation sites and release sidedness of superoxide from the Q cycle of complex III of the mitochondrial respiratory chain; the different physiological roles of PMF components, Delta Psi and Delta pH (Delta pH(S)), of the Q cycle in mitochondrial superoxide generating and partitioning; and direct feedback effects of Q cycle derived O-2(center dot-) on PMF energy partition through its interaction with protons in Delta pH(S) to form HO2 center dot, leading to decreasing Delta pH(S) and ATP synthesis due to its increasing effects of basic proton leak of mitochondria. The present experimental data give new evidence for our hypothesis of reactive oxygen species cycle cooperation with Q cycle and H+ cycle in respiratory chain in keeping PMF energy partition and its equilibrium with redox signaling regulation of mitochondrial respiration.