Publications [#337002] of David N. Beratan

Journal Articles

1. Peters, JW; Beratan, DN; Bothner, B; Dyer, RB; Harwood, CS; Heiden, ZM; Hille, R; Jones, AK; King, PW; Lu, Y; Lubner, CE; Minteer, SD; Mulder, DW; Raugei, S; Schut, GJ; Seefeldt, LC; Tokmina-Lukaszewska, M; Zadvornyy, OA; Zhang, P; Adams, MW, A new era for electron bifurcation., Current opinion in chemical biology, vol. 47 (December, 2018), pp. 32-38 [doi]
   (last updated on 2026/01/13)

   Abstract:
   Electron bifurcation, or the coupling of exergonic and endergonic oxidation-reduction reactions, was discovered by Peter Mitchell and provides an elegant mechanism to rationalize and understand the logic that underpins the Q cycle of the respiratory chain. Thought to be a unique reaction of respiratory complex III for nearly 40 years, about a decade ago Wolfgang Buckel and Rudolf Thauer discovered that flavin-based electron bifurcation is also an important component of anaerobic microbial metabolism. Their discovery spawned a surge of research activity, providing a basis to understand flavin-based bifurcation, forging fundamental parallels with Mitchell's Q cycle and leading to the proposal of metal-based bifurcating enzymes. New insights into the mechanism of electron bifurcation provide a foundation to establish the unifying principles and essential elements of this fascinating biochemical phenomenon.