Electrogenic and non-electrogenic ion antiporters participate in controling membrane potential.

In a comment to our recent publication, Nicholls question our results and interpretation based on theoretical arguments that reveal a profound misunderstanding of our publication.

A transmitochondrial sodium gradient controls membrane potential in mammalian mitochondria.

Eukaryotic cell function and survival rely on the use of a mitochondrial H electrochemical gradient (Δp), which is composed of an inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) potential (ΔΨmt) and a pH gradient (ΔpH). So far, ΔΨmt has been assumed to be composed exclusively of H. Here, using a rainbow of mitochondrial and nuclear genetic models, we have discovered that a Na gradient equates with the H gradient and controls half of ΔΨmt in coupled-respiring mammalian mitochondria.