Cellular Respiration and CoQ10 - Part 2

To view the beginning of this article, please read Part 1 under the Blogs section.

Now we come to the final step, where we finally produce large amounts of ATP. The protein that completes the process is ATP Synthase, which was briefly mentioned above. Like Complexes 1-4, it too is embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane. However, its function is not to produce an H+ gradient across the membrane. Rather, it actually utilizes the gradient built up by the protein complexes to make ATP. ATP Synthase has channels in its structure that allow the flow of H+ down its concentration gradient. This process causes changes in the shape of part of ATP Synthase. These structural changes allow the protein to first bind adenosine bisphosphate (ADP) and a phosphate ion. The shape then changes to bring the ADP and phosphate ion in close proximity to each other, which then bind together to form ATP. A final structure change causes ATP to be released, which is now available to the cell. This process is repeated, generating most of the ATP used by your body.

ATP Synthase’s structure is quite interesting. The flow of H+ through the channels in the protein cause part of the protein to actually spin and change shape. You can think of ATP Synthase as a tiny motor, because in many respects, it is! It uses stored energy (in this case, the energy stored in the concentration gradient of H+ ions) to produce mechanical motion – the spinning and structure changes discussed above. Evidence suggests that the spinning part of the protein can spin at close to 20,000 RPM! These high revving, tiny motors produce most of your body’s energy.

By understanding this process, we can clearly see why CoQ10 is so important. Its role in the electron transport chain, transporting electrons from Complexes 1 and 2 to Complex 3, makes it vital in cellular energy production. It also plays a role in decreasing the amount of harmful oxidizing agents formed in this process. Evidence suggests it can help improve outcomes in patients with cardiac issues, including congestive heart failure (CHF) and patients undergoing cardiac bypass procedures. Given CoQ10’s vital role in metabolic processes, it is a highly recommended and favorite supplement among both providers and patients alike.

References:

Coenzyme Q10. (n.d.). https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/book/export/html/352

Khan, M. S., Khan, F., Fonarow, G. C., Sreenivasan, J., Greene, S. J., Khan, S. U., Usman, M. S., Vaduganathan, M., Fudim, M., Anker, S. D., & Butler, J. (2021). Dietary interventions and nutritional supplements for heart failure: a systematic appraisal and evidence map. European Journal of Heart Failure, 23(9), 1468–1476. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejhf.2278

Ueno, H., Suzuki, T., Kinosita, K., & Yoshida, M. (2005). ATP-driven stepwise rotation of F o F 1 -ATP synthase. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 102(5), 1333–1338. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0407857102