The Q-Cycle Mechanism of the bc Complex: A Biologist's Perspective on Atomistic Studies.

The Q-cycle mechanism of the bc complex is now well enough understood to allow application of advanced computational approaches to the study of atomistic processes. In addition to the main features of the mechanism, these include control and gating of the bifurcated reaction at the Q-site, through which generation of damaging reactive oxygen species is minimized. We report a new molecular dynamics model of the Rhodobacter sphaeroides bc complex implemented in a native membrane, and constructed so as to eliminate blemishes apparent in earlier Rhodobacter models.