Structural changes linked to proton translocation by subunit c of the ATP synthase

Vinit K. Rastogi, Mark E. Girvin

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

420 Scopus citations

Abstract

F1F0 ATP synthases use a transmembrane proton gradient to drive the synthesis of cellular ATP. The structure of the cytosolic F1 portion of the enzyme and the basic mechanism of ATP hydrolysis by F1 are now well established, but how proton translocation through the transmembrane F0 portion drives these catalytic changes is less clear. Here we describe the structural changes in the proton-translocating F0 subunit c that are induced by deprotonating the specific aspartic acid involved in proton transport. Conformational changes between the protonated and deprotonated forms of subunit c provide the structural basis for an explicit mechanism to explain coupling of proton translocation by F0 to the rotation of subunits within the core of F1. Rotation of these subunits within F1 causes the catalytic conformational changes in the active sites of F1 that result in ATP synthesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)263-268
Number of pages6
JournalNature
Volume402
Issue number6759
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 18 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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