A team of scientists has obtained the first detailed look at how a molecular Ferris wheel delivers protons to cellular factories, providing new insights into how cells generate energy.

The research, published in the journal Nature, focuses on a protein complex called the ATP synthase, which is found in the inner membranes of mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells. ATP synthase uses the energy from a proton gradient to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cell's main energy currency.

The ATP synthase complex is made up of two rotating subunits, called the F1 and F0 subunits. The F1 subunit contains the catalytic site where ATP is synthesized, while the F0 subunit is responsible for generating the proton gradient.

The new study, led by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, reveals how the F0 subunit of ATP synthase uses a series of proton-binding sites to transport protons across the membrane. The protons are bound to the sites in a specific order, creating a "proton-transfer pathway" that drives the rotation of the F0 subunit.

This rotation, in turn, drives the rotation of the F1 subunit, which synthesizes ATP.

"This is the first time we have been able to see in detail how the F0 subunit of ATP synthase works," said study lead author Dr. Roderick MacKinnon. "This new understanding could lead to the development of new drugs that target ATP synthase and inhibit its function, which could have therapeutic potential for a variety of diseases."

ATP synthase is a critical enzyme for cellular energy production, and its malfunction is linked to a number of diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. By understanding how ATP synthase works, scientists may be able to develop new treatments for these diseases.

Source: University of California, Berkeley