Functions of the hydrophilic channels in protonmotive cytochrome c oxidase.
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ABSTRACT: The structures and functions of hydrophilic channels in electron-transferring membrane proteins are discussed. A distinction is made between proton channels that can conduct protons and dielectric channels that are non-conducting but can dielectrically polarize in response to the introduction of charge changes in buried functional centres. Functions of the K, D and H channels found in A1-type cytochrome c oxidases are reviewed in relation to these ideas. Possible control of function by dielectric channels and their evolutionary relation to proton channels is explored.
SUBMITTER: Rich PR
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3730678 | BioStudies | 2013-01-01
REPOSITORIES: biostudies
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