Oxidative phosphorylation, a history of unsuccessful attempts: Is it only an experimental problem?

Azzone, Giovanni

doi:10.1007/bf01516000

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…The controversy, central to the history of bioenergetics for more than half a century, appears tackled by more than 200 articles and to have lasted until the most recent years. G. F. Azzone, many years ago (1972), published the manuscript ‘Oxidative phosphorylation, a history of unsuccessful attempts: is it only an experimental problem?’ [30], which already highlighted the non-convincing parts of the theory, wishing for answers from the fine analysis of the macromolecular structures involved in chemiosmosis.…”

Section: Controversies About the Chemiosmotic Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

An update of the chemiosmotic theory as suggested by possible proton currents inside the coupling membrane

et al. 2019

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Understanding how biological systems convert and store energy is a primary purpose of basic research. However, despite Mitchell's chemiosmotic theory, we are far from the complete description of basic processes such as oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and photosynthesis. After more than half a century, the chemiosmotic theory may need updating, thanks to the latest structural data on respiratory chain complexes. In particular, up-to date technologies, such as those using fluorescence indicators following proton displacements, have shown that proton translocation is lateral rather than transversal with respect to the coupling membrane. Furthermore, the definition of the physical species involved in the transfer (proton, hydroxonium ion or proton currents) is still an unresolved issue, even though the latest acquisitions support the idea that protonic currents, difficult to measure, are involved. Moreover, F o F 1 -ATP synthase ubiquitous motor enzyme has the peculiarity (unlike most enzymes) of affecting the thermodynamic equilibrium of ATP synthesis. It seems that the concept of diffusion of the proton charge expressed more than two centuries ago by Theodor von Grotthuss is to be taken into consideration to resolve these issues. All these uncertainties remind us that also in biology it is necessary to consider the Heisenberg indeterminacy principle, which sets limits to analytical questions.

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Section: Controversies About the Chemiosmotic Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

An update of the chemiosmotic theory as suggested by possible proton currents inside the coupling membrane

et al. 2019

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“…At least this was the case in the ox-phos episode. Peter Mitchell, for example, self-consciously framed his novel chemiosmotic hypothesis according to Popperian principles (Boyer et al 1977, p.996;Mitchell 1980, pp.184-190;1981a, p.17;1981b, p.611); others, as well, appealed to the scientific authority of falsification (Azzone 1972;Huszagh and Infante 1989). Still others argued, without explicit philosophical reference, that single experiments were decisive against the opposing theory (e.g., Chance and Mela 1966;Chance, Lee and Mela 1967;Slater 1967;Tupper and Tedeschi 1969).…”

Section: Falsification and Anomaly-localization Revisitedmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Do You Falsify a Question?: Crucial Tests versus Crucial Demonstrations

Allchin

1992

PSA. Proc. Bien. Meet. Philos. Sci. Assoc.

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I highlight the differences in justificatory mode and in argumentative role between two categories of experiments:what I am calling 'tests' and 'demonstrations'. 'Tests'-crudely akin to 'crucial experiments'-are constructed such that alternative results are equally and symmetrically informative; they help discriminate between alternative solutions within a problem-field. 'Demonstrations' are notably asymmetrical (for example, "failures" are often not telling), yet they are effective, if not "crucial," in interparadigm dispute (as characterized by Kuhn). 'Tests' allow one to argue for answers where questions are shared; 'demonstrations' function on a deeper level to show the legitimacy or appropriateness of the questions or problem-frames themselves. The Ox-Phos Controversy in bioenergetics serves as an integral case study.

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“…Giovanni F. Azzone, many years ago (1972) published the manuscript "Oxidative phosphorylation, a history of unsuccessful attempts: is it only an experimental problem?" (Azzone, 1972) that already highlighted what did not convince in the theory and that wished for answers from the fine analysis of the macromolecular structures involved in chemiosmosis.…”

Section: Controversies About the Chemiosmotic Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemiosmotic coupling in oxidative phosphorylation: The history of a hard experimental effort hampered by the Heisenberg indeterminacy principle

Morelli

Ravera

Calzia

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Understanding how biological systems convert and store energy is a primary goal of biological research. However, despite the formulation of Mitchell’s chemiosmotic theory, which allowed taking fundamental steps forward, we are still far from the complete decryption of basic processes as oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and photosynthesis. After more than half a century, the chemiosmotic theory appears to need updating, as some of its assumptions have proven incorrect in the light of the latest structural data on respiratory chain complexes, bacteriorhodopsin and proton pumps. Moreover, the existence of an OXPHOS on the plasma membrane of cells casts doubt on the possibility to build up a transversal proton gradient across it, while paving the way for important applications in the field of neurochemistry and oncology. Up-to date biotechnologies, such as fluorescence indicators can follow proton displacement and sinks, and a number of reports have elegantly demonstrated that proton translocation is lateral rather than transversal with respect to the coupling membrane. Furthermore, the definition of the physical species involved in the transfer (proton, hydroxonium ion or proton currents) is still unresolved even though the latest acquisitions support the idea that protonic currents, difficult to measure, are involved. It seems that the concept of diffusion of the proton expressed more than two centuries ago by Theodor von Grotthuss, is decisive for overcoming these issues. All these uncertainties remember us that also in biology it is necessary to take into account the Heisenberg indeterminacy principle, that sets limits to analytical questions.

show abstract

Oxidative phosphorylation, a history of unsuccessful attempts: Is it only an experimental problem?

Cited by 10 publications

References 24 publications

An update of the chemiosmotic theory as suggested by possible proton currents inside the coupling membrane

An update of the chemiosmotic theory as suggested by possible proton currents inside the coupling membrane

How Do You Falsify a Question?: Crucial Tests versus Crucial Demonstrations

Chemiosmotic coupling in oxidative phosphorylation: The history of a hard experimental effort hampered by the Heisenberg indeterminacy principle

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