ATP FORMATION UNDER ACID-BASE TRANSITION IN A MODEL SYSTEM WITH OXIDIZED GLUTATHIONE

The formation of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate caused by acid-b ase transition was studied in the presence of oxidized glutathione pos sessing an -S-S-group. The reaction yield was about 5 mole ATP per 1 m ole ADP. It is proposed that acid-base transition activates the redox reaction in which sulfur atoms of oxidized glutathione are reduced by accepting electrons from phosphate ions, while the latter are oxidized to anion radicals that are converted into metaphosphate ions phosphor ylating ADP.