Mitochondrial matrix

Cell biology
The mitochondrion

Components of a typical mitochondrion

1 Outer membrane

1.1 Porin

2 Intermembrane space

2.1 Intracristal space
2.2 Peripheral space

3 Lamella

3.1 Inner membrane
3.11 Inner boundary membrane
3.12 Cristal membrane
3.2 Matrix   ◄ You are here
3.3 Cristæ

4 Mitochondrial DNA
5 Matrix granule
6 Ribosome
7 ATP synthase


In the mitochondrion, the matrix contains soluble enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of pyruvate, small organic molecules, nucleotide cofactors, and inorganic ions.[1] The matrix facilitates the citric acid cycle, the first stage in aerobic respiration,and the electron transport chain.[1]

The mitochondrial matrix also contains the mitochondria's DNA and ribosomes. The word "matrix" stems from the fact that this space is viscous, compared to the relatively aqueous cytoplasm. The cytosolic compartment has a water content of 3.8 μl/mg protein, while the mitochondrial matrix 0.8 μl/mg protein.[2] It is not known how mitochondria maintain osmotic balance across the inner mitochondrial membrane, although the membrane contains aquaporins that are believed to be conduits for regulated water transport. Mitochondrial matrix has a pH of about 7.8.[3] Mitochondrial DNA was discovered by Nash and Margit in 1963. One to many double stranded mainly circular DNA is present in mitochondrial matrix. Mitochondrial DNA is 1% of total DNA of a cell. It is rich in Guanine and Cytosine content. Mitochondria of mammals have 55s ribosomes.

Electron transport chain

The electron transport chain is located in the cristae of the inner mitochondrial membrane. The NADH and FADH2 produced by the citric acid cycle in the matrix release a proton and electron to regenerate NAD+ and FAD. Protons are pulled into the intermembrane space by the energy of the electrons going through the electron transport chain. Two electrons are finally accepted by oxygen in the matrix to complete the electron transport chain. The protons return to the mitochondrial matrix through the process of chemiosmosis through the protein ATP synthase.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Voet, Donald; Voet, Judith; Pratt, Charlotte (2013). Fundamentals of Biochemistry Life at the Molecular Level. New York City: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. pp. 582–584. ISBN 1118129180.
  2. ↑ Soboll, S., Scholz, R., Freisl, M., Elbers, R. & Heldt, H. W. (1976). "Distribution of metabolites between mitochondria and cytosol of perfused liver". In J. M. Tager, Hans-Dieter Söling, John R. Williamson. Use of Isolated Liver Cells and Kidney Tubules in Metabolic Studies. New York: Elsevier. pp. 29–40. ISBN 978-0-444-10925-5. LCCN 76009093. OCLC 2137029.
  3. ↑ Porcelli, AM; Ghelli, A; et al. (2005). "pH difference across the outer mitochondrial membrane measured with a green fluorescent protein mutant". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 326 (4): 799–804. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.11.105. PMID 15607740
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, April 29, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.