Research Director

Tomitake Tsukihara
University of Hyogo
Professor

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Outline

Mitochondria generate energy by combining oxygen with hydrogen to make ATP in a process called oxidative phosphorylation. Several protein complexes, termed respiratory enzyme complexes I, II, III, and IV, take part in the energy conversion system, the electron transport chain. Here, we will determine highly accurate crystal structures and time-resolved structures of complex IV, and a structure of the super complex of complexes I, III and IV to elucidate the reaction mechanism of respiratory enzyme complexes. The data will reveal why respiratory energy conversion is a highly efficient process.