The interlocked rotation between two rotary molecular motors in ATP synthase VoV1 -The mechanism of intermolecular torque transmission-

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26440084
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Biophysics
• Research Institution: Osaka Medical College
• Principal Investigator: FURUIKE Shou 大阪医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (60392875)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): YOKOYAMA Ken 京都産業大学, 総合生命科学部, 教授 (70271377)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ATP合成酵素 / 分子モーター / １分子観察

Outline of Final Research Achievements

ATP synthase VoV1 (or FoF1) is composed of two rotary molecular motors. The V1 (Vo) motor synthesizes/hydrolyzes ATPs, and the Vo (Fo) motor transmits/transports protons. Because the two motors are connected together by a common rotary shaft, the rotational angles and the functions of two motors also should be tightly coupled each together. To elucidate the couplings, we examined by single molecule observation, how is the torque transmission between the two motors affected by a torsional/bending rigidity of the rotary shaft. We constructed F1 mutants in which the shafts would retain nearly genuine shape and have weak torsional/bending rigidity. The rotation rates with and without drag were ~70% and almost same of wild type, respectively.

Free Research Field

生物学