Thermodynamic and kinetic control of ATP synthesis in yeast mitochondria: role of delta pH.

ATP synthesis rate, measured as the variation in external Pi concentration, varied as a linear function of either delta mu H+ or delta Gpin, in such a manner that the delta Gpin/delta mu H+ ratio increased while VATP increased. We also observed a linear dependence of the flux control coefficient of the Pi carrier on delta pH. All the results presented can be explained by a relatively large delta pH drop when VATP increases.