VITAMIN-K AND ENERGY TRANSDUCTION - A BASE STRENGTH AMPLIFICATION MECHANISM

Energy transfer provides an arrow in the metabolism of living systems. Direct energetic coupling of chemical transformations, such that the free energy generated in one reaction is channeled to another, is the essence of energy transfer, whereas the purpose is the production of h igh-energy chemical intermediates. Vitamin K provides a particularly i nstructive example of energy transfer. A key principle at work in the vitamin K system can be termed ''base strength amplification.'' In the base strength amplification sequence, the free energy of oxygenation of vitamin K hydroquinone (vitamin KH2) is used to transform a weak ba se to a strong base in order to effect proton removal from selected gl utamate (Glu) residues in the blood-clotting proteins.