- high-resolution terminology - matching measurements at high-resolution
LEAK state
Description
The LEAK state, L, is the non-phosphorylating resting state of intrinsic uncoupled or dyscoupled respiration when oxygen flux is maintained mainly to compensate for the proton leak at a high chemiosmotic potential, when ATP synthase is not active. The LEAK state can be induced experimentally in various ways:
- LEAK state with ATP: LT (classical State 4 in isolated mitochondria).
- LEAK state with oligomycin: LOmy (in isolated mitochondria or other mitochondrial preparations, and intact cells).
- LEAK state without adenylates: LN (in isolated mitochondria or other mitochondrial preparations, using a protocol different from the classical State 2-3-4 sequence).
LEAK respiration, L, is non-phosphorylating respiration in the LEAK state, mainly controlled by and compensating for the proton leak accross the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Abbreviation: L
Reference: Gnaiger 2009 Int J Biochem Cell Biol, Gnaiger 2012 MitoPathways
MitoPedia methods:
Respirometry
MitoPedia topics: "Respiratory state" is not in the list (Enzyme, Medium, Inhibitor, Substrate and metabolite, Uncoupler, Sample preparation, Permeabilization agent, EAGLE, MitoGlobal Organizations, MitoGlobal Centres, ...) of allowed values for the "MitoPedia topic" property.
Respiratory state"Respiratory state" is not in the list (Enzyme, Medium, Inhibitor, Substrate and metabolite, Uncoupler, Sample preparation, Permeabilization agent, EAGLE, MitoGlobal Organizations, MitoGlobal Centres, ...) of allowed values for the "MitoPedia topic" property.
LEAK
- The LEAK state is not State 2 in the classical sense, but is frequently called 'State 2', State 4, State 4o, basal state, or inactive state of respiration.
Respiration compensating for the proton leak is the main component of LEAK respiration. If proton leak were the only component involved, it would make sense to simply write leak respiration for the compensatory oxygen flux. Proton slip and cation cycling, however, are also involved to a larger or smaller extent to stimulate LEAK respiration. The upper case 'LEAK', therefore, should make us aware that this is more accurately considered as an acronym, and cannot be taken as a definitive delineation of the stimulatory mechanism in the LEAK state of respiration.
- Note: The distinction between LEAK and ETS capacity helps to clarify the important difference between uncoupled or dyscoupled respiration (LEAK) and non-coupled respiration (ETS capacity).
