Torque generation and elastic power transmission in the rotary F(O)F(1)-ATPase.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the universal fuel of the cell, is synthesized from adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and inorganic phosphate (P(i)) by 'ATP synthase' (F(O)F(1)-ATPase). During respiration or photosynthesis, an electrochemical potential difference of protons is set up across the respective membranes. This powers the enzyme's electrical rotary nanomotor (F(O)), which drives the chemical nanomotor (F(1)) by elastic mechanical-power transmission, producing ATP with high kinetic efficiency. Attempts to understand in detail the mechanisms of torque generation in this simple and robust system have been both aided and complicated by a wealth of sometimes conflicting data.
Junge
Wolfgang
W
Department of Biophysics, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastrasse 11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany. junge@uos.de
Sielaff
Hendrik
H
Engelbrecht
Siegfried
S
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D020134:Catalytic Domain; D004548:Elasticity; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013816:Thermodynamics; D019415:Torque
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases