Please explain answer . Thanks ! (10 points) The antibiotic valinomycin (shown b
ID: 203217 • Letter: P
Question
Please explain answer . Thanks !(10 points) The antibiotic valinomycin (shown below) is an ionophore, which is a lipid- soluble molecule that in actively respiring mitochondría is able to transport K ions across the inner mitochondrial membrane. When valinomycin is added to actively respiring mitochondria: 1) ATP production decreases; 2) the rate of 02 consumption increases and 3) the pH gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane increases. Valinomycin i. Based on the above information, is valinomycin an inhibitor or decoupler of oxidative phosphorylation? ii. Briefly (no more than four sentences) explain all of the experi mental observations in f the ability of valinomycin to transport K across the inner mitochondrial membrane
Explanation / Answer
Answer 1
It is decoupler of oxidative phosphorylation.Because valinomycin is the example to Ionophore of oxidative phosphorylation. It is a repeating macrocyclic molecule made up of four kinds of residues (L-lactate, L-Valine, Dhydroxyisovalarate and D-Valine) taken 3 times.Transports K+ from the cytosol into matrix and H+from matrix to cytosol, thereby decreasing the proton gradient.