ATP synthase proton

Chemiosmotic coupling is the mechanism most widely used to explain the manner in which electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation are coupled to one another. In this mechanism, the proton gradient is directly linked to the phosphorylation process. The way in which the proton gradient leads to the production of ATP depends on ion channels through the inner mitochondrial membrane these channels are a feature of the structure of ATP synthase. Protons flow back into the matrix through proton channels in the Fq part of the ATP synthase. The flow of protons is accompanied by formation of ATP, which occurs in the Fj unit. 

Figure 8.26. ATP synthase proton flow from the cytosolic to the matrix side of inner mitochondrial membrane rotates upper intrinsic membrane Fo-motor with an attached axle, which thereby is made to rotate clockwise within the hexameric globule on the matrix side (the Fi-motor). The latter produces ATP from ADP and Pi to make 32 of the 36 ATPs (=90%) resulting from glucose oxidation. The (aP)3 hexameric globule and ey stalk constitute the Fj-motor, which when functioning separately becomes the Fi-ATPase rotary motor. The separated extra-...

Figure C3.2.17. Diagram of a liposome-based artificial photosynthetic membrane showing the photocycle that pumps protons into the interior of the liposome and the CFqF j-ATP synthase enzyme. From [55],...

ATP synthase actually consists of two principal complexes. The spheres observed in electron micrographs make up the Fj unit, which catalyzes ATP synthesis. These Fj spheres are attached to an integral membrane protein aggregate called the Fq unit. Fj consists of five polypeptide chains named a, j3, y, 8, and e, with a subunit stoichiometry ajjSaySe (Table 21.3). Fq consists of three hydrophobic subunits denoted by a, b, and c, with an apparent stoichiometry of ajbgCg.ig- Fq forms the transmembrane pore or channel through which protons move to drive ATP synthesis. The a, j3, y, 8, and e subunits of Fj contain 510, 482, 272, 146, and 50 amino acids, respectively, with a total molecular mass... 

FIGURE 21.25 A model of the Fj and Fg components of the ATP synthase, a rotating molecnlar motor. The a, b, a, /3, and 8 snbnnits constitute the stator of the motor, and the c, y, and e subunits form the rotor. Flow of protons through the structure turns the rotor and drives the cycle of conformational changes in a and fi that synthesize ATP. 

FIGURE 21.31 Structures of several uiicouplers, molecules that dissipate the proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane and thereby destroy the tight coupling between electron transport and the ATP synthase reaction. 

Assume that the free energy change, AG, associated with the movement of one mole of protons from the outside to the inside of a bacterial cell is —23 kJ/mol and 3 must cross the bacterial plasma membrane per ATP formed by the bacterial FjEo-ATP synthase. ATP synthesis thus takes place by the coupled process ... 

FIGURE 22.17 The R. viridis reaction center is coupled to the cytochrome h/Cl complex through the quinone pool (Q). Quinone molecules are photore-duced at the reaction center Qb site (2 e [2 hv] per Q reduced) and then diffuse to the cytochrome h/ci complex, where they are reoxidized. Note that e flow from cytochrome h/ci back to the reaction center occurs via the periplasmic protein cytochrome co- Note also that 3 to 4 are translocated into the periplasmic space for each Q molecule oxidized at cytochrome h/ci. The resultant proton-motive force drives ATP synthesis by the bacterial FiFo ATP synthase. (Adapted from Deisenhofer, and Michel, H., 1989. The photosynthetic reaction center from the purple bac-terinm Rhod.opseud.omoaas viridis. Science 245 1463.)... 

FIGURE 22.21 The mechanism of photophosphorylation. Photosynthetic electron transport establishes a proton gradient that is tapped by the CFiCFo ATP synthase to drive ATP synthesis. Critical to this mechanism is the fact that the membrane-bound components of light-induced electron transport and ATP synthesis are asymmetrical with respect to the thylakoid membrane so that vectorial discharge and uptake of ensue, generating the proton-motive force. 

Berry, S., and Rnmberg, B., 1996. H" /ATP coupling ratio at the unmodulated CFiCFq-ATP synthase determined by proton flux measurements. 

Complex V (ATP Synthase, Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPase)... 

The electrochemical potential difFetence across the membrane, once established as a tesult of proton translocation, inhibits further transport of teducing equivalents through the respiratory chain unless discharged by back-translocation of protons across the membtane through the vectorial ATP synthase. This in turn depends on availability of ADP and Pj. 

Uncouplers (eg, dinitrophenol) are amphipathic (Chapter 14) and increase the petmeabihty of the lipoid inner mitochondrial membrane to protons (Figure 12—8), thus teducing the electtochemical potential and shott-citcuiting the ATP synthase. In this way, oxidation can proceed without phosphotylation. 

Figure 12-9. Mechanism of ATP production by ATP synthase. The enzyme compiex consists of an Fq sub-compiex which is a diskof "C" protein subunits. Attached is a y-subunit in the form of a "bentaxie." Protons passing through the disk of "C" units cause it and the attached y-subunit to rotate. The y-subunit fits inside the F, subcompiex of three a- and three (3-sub-units, which are fixed to the membrane and do not rotate. ADP and P are taken up sequentiaiiy by the (3-subunits to form ATP, which is expeiied as the rotating y-subunit squeezes each (3-subunit in turn. Thus, three ATP moiecuies are generated per revoiution. For ciarity, not aii the subunits that have been identified are shown—eg, the "axie" aiso contains an e-subunit.

Spanning the membrane are ATP synthase complexes that use the potential energy of the proton gradient to synthesize ATP from ADP and P,. In this way, oxidation is closely coupled to phosphorylation to meet the energy needs of the cell. 

The flow of electrons occurs in a similar manner from the excited pigment to cytochromes, quinones, pheophytins, ferridoxins, etc. The ATP synthase in the mitochondria of a bacterial system resembles that of the chloroplast—chloroplast proton translocating ATP synthase [37]. 

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