Fig. 8
From: Structure and function of mitochondrial membrane protein complexes
ATP synthase dimer rows shape the mitochondrial cristae. At the cristae ridges, the ATP synthases (yellow) form a sink for protons (red), while the proton pumps of the electron transport chain (green) are located in the membrane regions on either side of the dimer rows. Guiding the protons from their source to the proton sink at the ATP synthase, the cristae may work as proton conduits that enable efficient ATP production with the shallow pH gradient between cytosol and matrix. Red arrows show the direction of the proton flow. (Adapted from [17])