A generic model of electron transport in mitochondria

In this paper, a simplified, generic model of mitochondrial metabolism is explored. In particular the following question is addressed: To what extent are phenomena observed in experiments and simulations of mitochondrial metabolism generic, in the sense that they must occur in all models with this basic structure? Of particular interest are the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation, and how flux through the system and the redox states of intermediates respond to physiologically important stimuli. These stimuli include changes in substrate supply (NADH/FADH2), in oxygenation, and in membrane proton gradient/ATP demand. Analytical techniques are used to show that certain experimentally observed effects must occur in the generic model. These include the responses of both flux and redox states to changed substrate and oxygen concentrations. At the same time other effects, such as the responses of redox states to changes in proton gradient, are dependent on the details of the model, and are not common to every model with the same basic structure. The phenomenon of saturation in response to large inputs is also discussed.