title: Bacterial flagellar motor and H(+)/ATP synthase: two proton-driven rotary molecular devices with different functions.
abstract: Both the bacterial flagellar motor and the H(+)/ATP synthase are membrane-bound macromolecular complexes in which the movement of protons through channels across the membrane is coupled to the rotation of a part of the complex around an axis perpendicular to the membrane. Despite this similarity, the two devices are designed for quite different functions. The flagellar motor is responsible for a practically smooth rotation of the flagellar filament in order to propel the cell. Smooth rotation is not essential for the H(+)/ATP synthase, which accumulates torque by twisting a rod-shaped structure. Possible mechanisms for generating torque in the two devices are presented, based on the models which have been proposed. The performances of the various mechanisms are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klinger bergstrasse 70, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland. Dieter.Walz@unibas.ch
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Walz
authors.forename: S Roy
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Caplan
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000378:metabolism*; D011522:Protons
chemical_list: D011522:Protons; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases