Biological nano motor, ATP synthase FoF1: from catalysis to gamma epsilon c(10-12) subunit assembly rotation

Proton translocating ATPase (ATP synthase), a chemiosmotic enzyme, synthesi zes ATP from ADP and phosphate coupling with the electrochemical ion gradie nt across the membrane. This enzyme has been studied extensively by combine d genetic, biochemical and biophysical approaches. Such studies revealed a unique mechanism which transforms an electrochemical ion gradient into chem ical energy through the rotation of a subunit assembly. Thus, this enzyme c an be defined as a nano motor capable of coupling a chemical reaction and i on translocation, or more simply, as a protein complex carrying out rotatio nal catalysis. In this article, we briefly discuss our recent work, emphasi zing the rotation of subunit assembly (gamma epsilon c(10-12)) which is for med from peripheral and intrinsic membrane subunits. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scie nce B.V. All rights reserved.