Cross-linking and electron microscopy studies of the structure and functioning of the Escherichia coli ATP synthase

摘要

ATP synthase, also called F1Fo-ATPase, catalyzes the synthesis of ATP during oxidative phosphorylation. The enzyme is reversible and is able to use ATP to drive a proton gradient for transport purposes. Our work has focused on the enzyme from Escherichia coli (ECF1Fo), We have used a combination of methods to study this enzyme, including electron microscopy and chemical cross-linking. The utility of these two approaches in particular, and the important insights they give into the structure and mechanism of the ATP synthase, are reviewed. [References: 43]