title: The b subunit of Escherichia coli ATP synthase.
abstract: The b subunit of ATP synthase is a major component of the second stalk connecting the F1 and F0 sectors of the enzyme and is essential for normal assembly and function. The 156-residue b subunit of the Escherichia coli ATP synthase has been investigated extensively through mutagenesis, deletion analysis, and biophysical characterization. The two copies of b exist as a highly extended, helical dimer extending from the membrane to near the top of F1, where they interact with the delta subunit. The sequence has been divided into four domains: the N-terminal membrane-spanning domain, the tether domain, the dimerization domain, and the C-terminal delta-binding domain. The dimerization domain, contained within residues 60-122, has many properties of a coiled-coil, while the delta-binding domain is more globular. Sites of crosslinking between b and the a, alpha, beta, and delta subunits of ATP synthase have been identified, and the functional significance of these interactions is under investigation. The b dimer may serve as an elastic element during rotational catalysis in the enzyme, but also directly influences the catalytic sites, suggesting a more active role in coupling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. sdunn@julian.uwo.ca
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Revington
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Cipriano
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Shilton
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D019281:Dimerization; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016296:Mutagenesis; D021122:Protein Subunits; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000737:chemistry*; D017384:Sequence Deletion
chemical_list: D021122:Protein Subunits; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases