The Structure of the CF1 Part of the ATP-Synthase Complex from Chloroplasts

Abstract

The proton ATP synthase consists of a membrane integrated part, , and a hydrophilic part, . is composed of five different subunits: and This chapter focuses on the chloroplast ( ) structure and discusses the overall shape and dimensions of , shape and size of the various subunits, subunit interactions and conformational changes in the subunit positions related to catalysis. Structural data originate mainly from Xray diffraction and electron microscopy. Recently, the structure of from beef heart mitochondria has been determined at 2.8 Å and this structure, although not fully identical to , can be taken as a blueprint for models of the structure.