ACID-BASE REACTIONS AS DRIVING-FORCE IN METABOLISM, ATP SYNTHASES ANDION-MOTIVE ATP-ASES - THE ROLE OF THE OXIDE ANION

The basis of energy transduction often escapes the understanding of re searchers since no central unified lucid theory has been provided. In this communication, a unified strategy in terms of basic chemical and physico-chemical principles is proposed. Quimiotrophic and autotrophic metabolisms are centered in the role played by the oxide anion (O2-) in substrate-level phosphorylations and synthesis of organic matter; i n strict association, the radical metaphosphate is used in ATP synthes is at substrate level; in turn, the metaphosphate coming from ATP is u sed as O2- scavenger as the central event of organosynthesis. Quimiotr ophic energy transductions in aerobic and anaerobic respirations opera te on the basis of a terminal oxidase as a common motif that leads to the production of O2- stabilized in the form of H2O at expense of redo x processes. Presumably, the oxidase is the operational molecular engi ne that pulls and drives the redox pumps. Conversely, photosynthetic s ystems operate in the reverse sense, with O2- derived from H2O. The el ectrochemical proton potential promoted by the formation of O2- (H2O) or its utilization putatively operates in ATP synthases by abstraction of O2- from orthophosphate with subsequent formation of metaphosphate that promotes ATP synthesis. Another example of O2- involvement is pr oposed for the Ca2+ pump ATP-ase in the basis of energetic transductio ns through intermediate acid-base Bohr effects associated with affinit y alterations of Ca2+ binding sites through a dynamic channel.