ATP Synthase and Mitochondrial Function

A set of flashcards elaborating on key concepts related to ATP synthase, its function, structure, and role in cellular respiration.

ATP synthase

An enzyme that synthesizes ATP from ADP and phosphate, utilizing a proton gradient.

Chemiosmotic hypothesis

The theory that ATP is produced through a chemiosmotic gradient created by the electron transport chain.

Oxidative phosphorylation

The process of ATP production in mitochondria, involving an electron transport chain and ATP synthase.

Electrochemical gradient

A gradient of electrochemical potential across a membrane, driving ATP synthesis.

F0 and F1 domains

Parts of ATP synthase; F0 is involved in proton translocation, and F1 is the catalytic domain for ATP synthesis.

Binding-change model

A model describing how changes in ATP synthase subunit conformations facilitate ATP synthesis.

Oligomycin sensitivity conferring protein (OSCP)

A subunit of ATP synthase that connects F0 and F1 domains and is involved in proton identification.

Subunit composition of ATP synthase

ATP synthase is composed of multiple subunits including alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon in the F1 domain.

Rotary mechanism of ATP synthesis

ATP synthesis occurs through mechanical rotation of the gamma subunit, driven by proton flow.

Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1997)

Awarded to Paul D. Boyer for elucidating the enzymatic mechanism of ATP synthesis.

Central stalk of ATP synthase

The structure composed of γ, δ, and ε subunits that transmits rotation and conformational changes during ATP synthesis.

H+ electrochemical gradient

The difference in proton concentration across a membrane that drives ATP synthesis in mitochondria.

Dimers of ATP synthase

The formation of ATP synthase monomers into dimeric complexes for functional and structural stability.

Dimerization of ATP synthase

The process where two ATP synthase monomers associate through their F0 domains.

Mitochondrial diseases

Health conditions that can arise from dysfunction in the ATP synthase, often affecting energy metabolism.

Proton motive force (pmf)

The force generated across a membrane due to a proton gradient, used to drive ATP synthesis.

Cryo-EM

A technique used to observe the structure of ATP synthase and study its catalytic cycle without crystal constraints.

Residues and conformational changes

The arrangement of amino acids in ATP synthase that play crucial roles in its function during the catalytic cycle.

MgADP and binding states

Different nucleotide binding states of beta subunits of ATP synthase during ATP synthesis.

Complex V assembly

The process by which all the subunits of ATP synthase come together to form a functional enzyme.