Structural highlights
Function
VATA_THET8 Produces ATP from ADP in the presence of a proton gradient across the membrane. The V-type alpha chain is a catalytic subunit.
Publication Abstract from PubMed
ATP synthases are rotary molecular machines that use the proton motive force to rotate the central rotor complex relative to the surrounding stator apparatus, thereby coupling the ATP synthesis. We reconstituted the V/A-ATPase into liposomes and performed structural analysis using cryo-EM under conditions where the proton motive force was applied in the presence of ADP and Pi. ATP molecules were bound at two of the three catalytic sites of V/A-ATPase, confirming that the structure represents a state adopted during ATP synthesis. In this structure, the catalytic site closes upon binding of ADP and Pi through an induced fit mechanism. Multiple structures were obtained where the membrane-embedded rotor ring was in a different position relative to the stator. By comparing these structures, we found that torsion occurs in both the central rotor and the peripheral stator during 31 degrees rotation of rotor ring. These structural snapshots of V/A-ATPase provide crucial insights into the mechanism of rotary catalysis of ATP synthesis.
Structures of rotary ATP synthase from Thermus thermophilus during proton powered ATP synthesis.,Nakano A, Kishikawa JI, Yui N, Sugawara K, Kan Y, Gerle C, Shigematsu H, Mitsuoka K, Yokoyama K Sci Adv. 2025 Oct 17;11(42):eadx8771. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adx8771. Epub 2025 Oct , 17. PMID:41105777[1]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
- ↑ Nakano A, Kishikawa JI, Yui N, Sugawara K, Kan Y, Gerle C, Shigematsu H, Mitsuoka K, Yokoyama K. Structures of rotary ATP synthase from Thermus thermophilus during proton powered ATP synthesis. Sci Adv. 2025 Oct 17;11(42):eadx8771. PMID:41105777 doi:10.1126/sciadv.adx8771
