Activation of Escherichia coli F1-ATPase by lauryldimethylamine oxide and ethylene glycol: relationship of ATPase activity to the interaction of the epsilon and beta subunits

The stimulation of the ATPase activity of Escherichia coli F1-ATPase by the detergent lauryldimethylamine oxide (LDAO) and the relationship of this activation to removal of the inhibitory epsilon subunit were studied. The detergent caused a dramatic decrease in the affinity of epsilon-depleted enzyme for epsilon subunit, suggesting that release of epsilon is involved in LDAO activation. However, even in the absence of any epsilon subunit, the detergent caused a 140% increase in activity, indicating activation by effects independent of epsilon. In contrast, the addition of 30% ethylene glycol to the reaction buffer caused a modest inhibition of the ATPase activity of epsilon-depleted F1-ATPase but rendered the enzyme insensitive to inhibition by epsilon subunit. This solvent prevented the cross-linking of epsilon to beta by a water-soluble carbodiimide, although epsilon remained linkable to both beta and gamma by dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate). Thus, epsilon was not dissociated from F1-ATPase, but its intimate interaction with the beta subunit was altered. These results suggest that the inhibitory action of epsilon is expressed through its interaction with beta. Kinetic analysis revealed that LDAO activated hydrolysis at both the high- and low-affinity promotional sites, with little change in Km values. Ethylene glycol caused a substantial increase in Km at the low-affinity promotional site and made the enzyme resistant to inhibition by aurovertin D.     

Effect of the epsilon-subunit on nucleotide binding to Escherichia coli F1-ATPase catalytic sites.

The influence of the epsilon-subunit on the nucleotide binding affinities of the three catalytic sites of Escherichia coli F1-ATPase was investigated, using a genetically engineered Trp probe in the adenine-binding subdomain (beta-Trp-331). The interaction between epsilon and F1 was not affected by the mutation. Kd for binding of epsilon to betaY331W mutant F1 was approximately 1 nM, and epsilon inhibited ATPase activity by 90%. The only nucleotide binding affinities that showed significant differences in the epsilon-depleted and epsilon-replete forms of the enzyme were those for MgATP and MgADP at the high-affinity catalytic site 1. Kd1(MgATP) and Kd1(MgADP) were an order of magnitude higher in the absence of epsilon than in its presence. In contrast, the binding affinities for MgATP and MgADP at sites 2 and 3 were similar in the epsilon-depleted and epsilon-replete enzymes, as were the affinities at all three sites for free ATP and ADP. Comparison of MgATP binding and hydrolysis parameters showed that in the presence as well as the absence of epsilon, Km equals Kd3. Thus, in both cases, all three catalytic binding sites have to be occupied to obtain rapid (Vmax) MgATP hydrolysis rates.     

The regulator of the F1 motor: inhibition of rotation of cyanobacterial F1-ATPase by the epsilon subunit

The chloroplast-type F(1) ATPase is the key enzyme of energy conversion in chloroplasts, and is regulated by the endogenous inhibitor epsilon, tightly bound ADP, the membrane potential and the redox state of the gamma subunit. In order to understand the molecular mechanism of epsilon inhibition, we constructed an expression system for the alpha(3)beta(3)gamma subcomplex in thermophilic cyanobacteria allowing thorough investigation of epsilon inhibition. epsilon Inhibition was found to be ATP-independent, and different to that observed for bacterial F(1)-ATPase. The role of the additional region on the gamma subunit of chloroplast-type F(1)-ATPase in epsilon inhibition was also determined. By single molecule rotation analysis, we succeeded in assigning the pausing angular position of gamma in epsilon inhibition, which was found to be identical to that observed for ATP hydrolysis, product release and ADP inhibition, but distinctly different from the waiting position for ATP binding. These results suggest that the epsilon subunit of chloroplast-type ATP synthase plays an important regulator for the rotary motor enzyme, thus preventing wasteful ATP hydrolysis.     

Catalytic properties of the F1-adenosine triphosphatase from Escherichia coli K-12 and its genetic variants as revealed by 18O exchanges

We have examined intermediate Pi-water oxygen exchange during [gamma-18O]ATP hydrolysis by the F1 adenosine triphosphatase from Escherichia coli K-12. Water oxygen incorporation into each Pi released was increased as ATP concentration was lowered as observed previously for the same reaction catalyzed by the enzyme from eukaryotic sources. Heterogeneous distributions of 18O in product Pi were produced by coexisting epsilon subunit-replete and epsilon subunit-depleted enzyme molecules. The epsilon-replete enzyme showed a much higher probability for oxygen exchange. These data imply that the epsilon subunit inhibits net ATP hydrolysis by imposing conformational constraints which reduce the cooperative conformational interactions that promote ADP and Pi release. Four enzyme variants altered in alpha or beta subunit structure with reduced net hydrolytic activity showed sharply increased oxygen exchange during ATP hydrolysis. Heterogeneity was apparent in the 18O distribution of the product Pi, however. That behavior could reflect hindered conformational interactions and/or increased affinity of the alpha 3 beta 3 gamma delta complex for the epsilon subunit. In contrast, enzyme from mutant uncA401 showed very little oxygen exchange accompanying hydrolysis of 20 microM ATP. This is the only enzyme so far reported with this unusual property. Its rate limitation appears to be in the hydrolytic rather than the product release step of the catalytic sequence.     

Stabilization of rat liver mitochondrial F1-adenosine triphosphatase during chloroform-induced solubilization.

1. Isolation of ATPase from rat liver submitochondrial particles by chloroform treatment requires the presence of ATP or ADP during enzyme solubilization. In the absence of adenine nucleotides the enzyme activity is very low although all protein components of F1-ATPase are released. The low concentrations of ATP or ADP required (5 microM) indicate that the high affinity nucleotide-binding sites are involved in enzyme stabilization. Other nucleotides tested (ITP, GTP, UTP, CTP) were found to be less effective. 2. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunodiffusion in agar plates revealed that in the absence of adenine nucleotides a fraction of F1-ATPase released by chloroform treatment is split into fragments. The part of the dissociated enzyme molecule has a molecular weight identical with that of a beta-subunit of F1-ATPase. 3. Dissociation of the F1-ATPase molecule could also be prevented by aurovertin. 4. Crude F1-ATPase solubilized by chloroform treatment can be further purified by Sepharose 6B gel filtration. Specific ATPase activity of the purified enzyme was 90 mumol Pi/min per mg protein and the enzyme was composed of five protein subunits (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon) with molecular weights 58 000, 55 000, 28 000, 13 000 and 8000, respectively. 5. Chloroform-released F1-ATPase from rat liver mitochondria displayed immunochemical cross-reactivity with that isolated from beef heart mitochondria.     

Evidence for a nucleotide binding site on the isolated beta subunit from Escherichia coli F1-ATPase. Interaction between nucleotide and aurovertin D binding sites

The nucleotide binding capacity and affinity of the isolated beta subunit from Escherichia coli F1-ATPase have been studied with radiolabeled ADP and ATP by an equilibrium dialysis technique. Each mole of beta subunit in the presence of EDTA bound 1 mol of ADP or ATP with Kd values of 25 microM and 50-100 microM, respectively. At a saturating concentration, aurovertin enhanced the affinity of ADP or ATP for the isolated beta subunit by 3-6-fold. The Kd values for the binding of ADP or ATP were also assessed through the enhancing effect of ADP on [14C]aurovertin binding (Issartel, J.-P., Klein, G., Satre, M., & Vignais, P.V. (1983) Biochemistry 22, 3485-3492); the Kd values determined by this approach were several times lower than in the absence of aurovertin, in agreement with results obtained by direct titration with radiolabeled ADP or ATP.     

Effect of disulfide cross-linking between alpha and delta subunits on the properties of the F1 adenosine triphosphatase of Escherichia coli

Under very mild oxidizing conditions the delta subunit of the F1-ATPase of Escherichia coli can be crosslinked by a disulfide linkage to one of the alpha subunits of the enzyme. The cross-linked ATPase resembles the native enzyme in the following properties: specific activity; activation by lauryldimethylamine N-oxide (LDAO); binding of aurovertin D and ADP; cross-linking products with 3,3'-dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate); binding to ATPase-stripped everted membrane vesicles and the N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide sensitivity of the rebound enzyme. However, the rebound crosslinked ATPase differed from the native enzyme in lacking the ability to restore NADH oxidation - and ATP hydrolysis-dependent quenching of the fluorescence of quinacrine to ATPase-stripped membrane vesicles. It is proposed that the delta subunit is involved in the proton pathway of the ATPase, and that this pathway is affected in the alpha delta-cross-linked enzyme. The mechanism for activation of the ATPase by LDAO was examined. Evidence against the proposal of L?tscher, H.-R., De Jong, C. and Capaldi, R.A. (Biochemistry (1984) 23, 4140-4143) that activation involves displacement of the epsilon subunit from an active site on a beta subunit was obtained.     

Effect of denaturants on multisite and unisite ATP hydrolysis by bovine heart submitochondrial particles with and without inhibitor protein

The effect of guanidinium hydrochloride (GdnHCl) on multisite and unisite ATPase activity by F0F1 of submitochondrial particles from bovine hearts was studied. In particles without control by the inhibitor protein, 50 mM GdnHCl inhibited multisite hydrolysis by about 85%; full inhibition required around 500 mM. In the range of 500-650 mM, GdnHCl enhanced the rate of unisite catalysis by promoting product release; it also increased the rate of hydrolysis of ATP bound to the catalytic site without GdnHCl. GdnHCl diminished the affinity of the enzyme for aurovertin. The effects of GdnHCl were irreversible. The results suggest that disruption of intersubunit contacts in F0F1 abolishes multisite hydrolysis and stimulates of unisite hydrolysis. Particles under control by the inhibitor protein were insensitive to concentrations of GdnHCl that induce the aforementioned alterations of F0F1 free of inhibitor protein, indicating that the protein stabilizes the global structure of particulate F1.     

Mitochondrial F1-ATPase moiety from Phycomyces blakesleeanus: purification, characterization, and kinetic studies.

Mitochondrial F1-ATPase was purified from the mycelium of Phycomyces blakesleeanus NRRL 1555(-) and its kinetic characteristics were studied. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the enzyme reveals five bands (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon) characteristic of the F1 portion with apparent molecular weights of 60,000, 53,000, 31,000, 25,000, and 21,000, respectively. The molecular weight of the native F1-ATPase from Phycomyces blakesleeanus was in agreement with the stoichiometry alpha 3 beta 3 gamma delta epsilon. The MgATP complex is the true substrate for ATPase activity which has a Km value of 0.15 mM. High concentrations of free ATP or free Mg2+ ions inhibit the ATPase activity. ADP appears to act as a negative allosteric effector with regard to MgATP hydrolysis, with the apparent Vmax remaining unchanged.     

Activation and inhibition of the Escherichia coli F1-ATPase by monoclonal antibodies which recognize the epsilon subunit

The properties of two monoclonal antibodies which recognize the epsilon subunit of Escherichia coli F1-ATPase were studied in detail. The epsilon subunit is a tightly bound but dissociable inhibitor of the ATPase activity of soluble F1-ATPase. Antibody epsilon-1 binds free epsilon with a dissociation constant of 2.4 nM but cannot bind epsilon when it is associated with F1-ATPase. Likewise epsilon cannot associate with F1-ATPase in the presence of high concentrations of epsilon-1. Thus epsilon-1 activates F1-ATPase which contains the epsilon subunit, and prevents added epsilon from inhibiting the enzyme. Epsilon-1 cannot bind to membrane-bound F1-ATPase. The epsilon-4 antibody binds free epsilon with a dissociation constant of 26 nM. Epsilon-4 can bind to the F1-ATPase complex, but, like epsilon-1, it reverses the inhibition of F1-ATPase by the epsilon subunit. The epsilon subunit remains crosslinkable to both the beta and gamma subunits in the presence of epsilon-4, indicating that it is not grossly displaced from its normal position by the antibody. Presumably the activation arises from more subtle conformational effects. Antibodies epsilon-4 and delta-2, which recognizes the delta subunit, both bind to F1F0 in E. coli membrane vesicles, indicating that these subunits are substantially exposed in the membrane-bound complex. Epsilon-4 inhibits the ATPase activity of the membrane-bound enzyme by about 50%, and Fab prepared from epsilon-4 inhibits by about 40%. This inhibition is not associated with any substantial change in the major apparent Km for ATP. These results suggest that inhibition of membrane-bound F1-ATPase arises from steric effects of the antibody.     

The native mitochondrial F1-inhibitor protein complex carries out uni- and multisite ATP hydrolysis

The rate of ATP hydrolysis under multi- and unisite conditions was determined in the native F1-inhibitor protein complex of bovine heart mitochondria (Adolfsen, R., MacClung, J.A., and Moudrianakis, E.N. (1975) Biochemistry 14, 1727-1735). Aurovertin was used to distinguish between hydrolytic activity catalyzed by the F1-ATPase or the F1-inhibitor protein (F1.I) complex. We found that incubation of aurovertin with the F1.I complex, prior to the addition of substrate, results in a stimulation of the hydrolytic activity from 1 to 8-10 mumol min-1 mg-1. The addition of aurovertin to a F1.I complex simultaneously with ATP results in a 30% inhibition with respect to the untreated F1.I. In contrast, if the F1.I complex is activated up to a hydrolytic activity of 80 mumol min-1 mg-1, aurovertin inhibits the enzyme in a manner similar to that described for F1-ATPase devoid of the inhibitor protein. The native F1.I complex catalyzes the hydrolysis of ATP under conditions for single catalytic site, liberating 0.16-0.18 mol of Pi/mol of enzyme. Preincubation with aurovertin before the addition of substrate had no effect under these conditions. On the other hand, if the F1.I ATPase was allowed to hydrolyze ATP at a single catalytic site, catalysis was inhibited by 98% by aurovertin. In F1-ATPase, the hydrolysis of [gamma-32P]ATP bound to the first catalytic site is promoted by the addition of excess ATP, in the presence or absence of aurovertin. Under conditions for single site catalysis, hydrolysis of [gamma-32P]ATP in the F1.I complex was not promoted by excess ATP. We conclude that the endogenous inhibitor protein regulates catalysis by promoting the entrapment of adenine nucleotides at the high affinity catalytic site, thus hindering cooperative ATP hydrolysis.     

Aurovertin binds to the beta subunit of yeast mitochondrial ATPase.

Isolated beta subunit of ATPase (F1) from yeast mitochondria does not catalyze an ATPase reaction but still binds the specific F1 inhibitor aurovertin. Binding was measured by enhancement of aurovertin fluorescence; it was as tight as that to F1-ATPase. No binding was observed with F1 or with isolated beta subunit from a single-gene nuclear yeast mutant whose F1-ATPase was resistant to aurovertin.     

Real-time monitoring of conformational dynamics of the epsilon subunit in F1-ATPase

It has been proposed that C-terminal two alpha-helices of the epsilon subunit of F1-ATPase can undergo conformational transition between retracted folded-hairpin form and extended form. Here, using F(1) from thermophilic Bacillus PS3, we monitored this transition in real time by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between a donor dye and an acceptor dye attached to N terminus of the gamma subunit and C terminus of the epsilon subunit, respectively. High FRET (extended form) of F1 turned to low FRET (retracted form) by ATP, which then reverted as ATP was hydrolyzed to ADP. 5'-Adenyl-beta,gamma-imidodiphosphate, ADP + AlF4-, ADP + NaN3, and GTP also caused the retracted form, indicating that ATP binding to the catalytic beta subunits induces the transition. The ATP-induced transition from high FRET to low FRET occurred in a similar time scale to the ATP-induced activation of ATPase from inhibition by the epsilon subunit, although detailed kinetics were not the same. The transition became faster as temperature increased, but the extrapolated rate at 65 degrees C (physiological temperature of Bacillus PS3) was still too slow to assign the transition as an obligate step in the catalytic turnover. Furthermore, binding affinity of ATP to the isolated epsilon subunit was weakened as temperature increased, and the dissociation constant extrapolated to 65 degrees C reached to 0.67 mm, a consistent value to assume that the epsilon subunit acts as a sensor of ATP concentration in the cell.     

Interaction between aurovertin and adenine nucleotide binding sites on mitochondrial F1-ATPase and the isolated beta subunit

The effect of aurovertin on the binding parameters of ADP and ATP to native F1 from beef heart mitochondria in the presence of EDTA has been explored. Three exchangeable sites per F1 were titrated by ADP and ATP in the absence or presence of aurovertin. Curvilinear Scatchard plots for the binding of both ADP and ATP were obtained in the absence of aurovertin, indicating one high affinity site (Kd for ADP = 0.6-0.8 microM; Kd for ATP = 0.3-0.5 microM) and two lower affinity sites (Kd for ADP = 8-10 microM; Kd for ATP = 7-10 microM). With a saturating concentration of aurovertin capable of filling the three beta subunits of F1, the curvilinearity of the Scatchard plots was decreased for ATP binding and abolished for ADP binding, indicating homogeneity of ADP binding sites in the F1-aurovertin complex (Kd for ADP = 2 microM). When only the high affinity aurovertin site was occupied, maximal enhancement of the fluorescence of the F1-aurovertin complex was attained with 1 mol of ADP bound per mol of F1 and maximal quenching for 1 mol of ATP bound per mol of F1. When the F1-aurovertin complex was incubated with [3H]ADP followed by [14C]ATP, full fluorescence quenching was attained when ATP had displaced the previously bound ADP. In the case of the isolated beta subunit, both ADP and ATP enhanced the fluorescence of the beta subunit-aurovertin complex. The Kd values for ADP and ATP in the presence of EDTA were 0.6 mM and 3.7 mM, respectively; MgCl2 decreased the Kd values to 0.1 mM for both ADP and ATP. It is postulated that native F1 possesses three equivalent interacting nucleotide binding sites and exists in two conformations which are in equilibrium and recognize either ATP (T conformation) or ADP (D conformation). The negative interactions between the nucleotide binding sites of F1 are strongest in the D conformation. Upon addition of aurovertin, the site-site cooperativity between the beta subunits of F1 is decreased or even abolished.     

Affinity chromatography of H+-translocating adenosine triphosphatase isolated by chloroform extraction of Rhodospirillum rubrum chromatophores. Modification of binding affinity by divalent cations and activating anions.

1. ATPase isolated from Rhodospirillum rubrum by chloroform extraction and purified by gel filtration or affinity chromatography shows three bands (alpha, beta and gamma) upon electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate. 2. Ca2+-ATPase activity of the preparation is inhibited by aurovertin and efrapeptin but not by oligomycin. Activity may be inhibited by treatment with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan and subsequently restored by dithiothreitol. 3. The enzyme fails to reconstitute photophosphorylation in chromatophores depleted of ATPase by sonic irradiation. 4. Most of the active protein from the crude chloroform extract binds to an affinity chromatography column bearing an immobilised ADP analogue but not to a column bearing immobilised pyrophosphate. 5. In the absence of divalent cations, a component with a very high specific activity for Ca2+-ATPase is eluted from the column by 1.6 mM ATP. This protein migrates asa single band on 5% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and only possesses three subunits. At 12 mM ATP an inactive protein is eluted which does not run on acid or alkali polyacrylamide gels and shows a complex subunit structure. 6. ATPase preparations prepared by acetone extraction or by sonic irradiation of chromatophores may also be purified 10-fold by affinity chromatography. 7. The inclusion of 5 mM MgCl2 or CaCl2 during affinity chromatography of chloroform ATPase increases the capacity of the column for the enzyme and demands a higher eluting concentration of ATP. 8. When the enzyme is more than 90% inhibited by efrapeptin or 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan, the binding characteristics of the enzyme are not affected. 9. 10 mM Na2SO3, which greatly stimulates the Ca2+- and Mg2+-dependent ATPase activity of the enzyme and increases Ki (ADP) for Ca2+-ATPase from 50 to 850 micron, prevents binding to the affinity column. Binding may be restored by the addition of divalent cations. 10. Na2SO3 increases the rate of ATP hydrolysis, ATP-driven H+ translocation and ATP-driven transhydrogenase in chromatophores. 11. It is proposed that anions such as sulphite convert the chromatophore ATPase into a form which is a more efficient energy transducer.     

Excessive ATP hydrolysis in ischemic myocardium by mitochondrial F1F0-ATPase: effect of selective pharmacological inhibition of mitochondrial ATPase hydrolase activity

Mitochondrial F(1)F(0)-ATPase normally synthesizes ATP in the heart, but under ischemic conditions this enzyme paradoxically causes ATP hydrolysis. Nonselective inhibitors of this enzyme (aurovertin, oligomycin) inhibit ATP synthesis in normal tissue but also inhibit ATP hydrolysis in ischemic myocardium. We characterized the profile of aurovertin and oligomycin in ischemic and nonischemic rat myocardium and compared this with the profile of BMS-199264, which only inhibits F(1)F(0)-ATP hydrolase activity. In isolated rat hearts, aurovertin (1-10 microM) and oligomycin (10 microM), at concentrations inhibiting ATPase activity, reduced ATP concentration and contractile function in the nonischemic heart but significantly reduced the rate of ATP depletion during ischemia. They also inhibited recovery of reperfusion ATP and contractile function, consistent with nonselective F(1)F(0)-ATPase inhibitory activity, which suggests that upon reperfusion, the hydrolase activity switches back to ATP synthesis. BMS-199264 inhibits F(1)F(0) hydrolase activity in submitochondrial particles with no effect on ATP synthase activity. BMS-199264 (1-10 microM) conserved ATP in rat hearts during ischemia while having no effect on preischemic contractile function or ATP concentration. Reperfusion ATP levels were replenished faster and necrosis was reduced by BMS-199264. ATP hydrolase activity ex vivo was selectively inhibited by BMS-199264. Therefore, excessive ATP hydrolysis by F(1)F(0)-ATPase contributes to the decline in cardiac energy reserve during ischemia and selective inhibition of ATP hydrolase activity can protect ischemic myocardium.     

Regulatory interplay between proton motive force, ADP, phosphate, and subunit epsilon in bacterial ATP synthase

ATP synthase couples transmembrane proton transport, driven by the proton motive force (pmf), to the synthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate (P(i)). In certain bacteria, the reaction is reversed and the enzyme generates pmf, working as a proton-pumping ATPase. The ATPase activity of bacterial enzymes is prone to inhibition by both ADP and the C-terminal domain of subunit epsilon. We studied the effects of ADP, P(i), pmf, and the C-terminal domain of subunit epsilon on the ATPase activity of thermophilic Bacillus PS3 and Escherichia coli ATP synthases. We found that pmf relieved ADP inhibition during steady-state ATP hydrolysis, but only in the presence of P(i). The C-terminal domain of subunit epsilon in the Bacillus PS3 enzyme enhanced ADP inhibition by counteracting the effects of pmf. It appears that these features allow the enzyme to promptly respond to changes in the ATP:ADP ratio and in pmf levels in order to avoid potentially wasteful ATP hydrolysis in vivo.     

Purification and properties of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase of hamster brown adipose tissue.

1. Oligomycin-insensitive ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) was purified from brown adipose tissue mitochondria. It had a specific activity of 50 units/mg which could be increased up to 85 units/mg by KHCO3. The isolated enzyme represented less than 0.5% of the initial membrane proteins.2. The enzyme had a molecular weight equal to beef heart ATPase and was composed of five subunits with molecular weights of 56 200, 54 300, 33 500, 13 400 and 9500 respectively. 3. Isolated ATPase was labile while cold and was activated by the divalent cations Mn2+, Mg2+, Co2+ and Cd2+. The optimum ATP/Mg2+ ratio found was 1.58 and the enzyme had a maximum activity at pH 8.5; the Km was 220 micrometer. 4. The ATPase activity was 55% inhibited by aurovertin. The isolated enzyme enhanced the fluorescence of aurovertin, quenched by ATP and Mg2+ and enhanced by ADP. 5. Oligomycin sensitivity and cold stability of isolated ATPase was restored by its reconstitution with both brown adipose tissue and beef heart particles depleted of ATPase. 6. The results presented demonstrate that the low ATPase activity of brown adipose tissue mitochondria is due to a reduced content of ATPase.     

F0F1-ATPase/synthase is geared to the synthesis mode by conformational rearrangement of epsilon subunit in response to proton motive force and ADP/ATP balance

The epsilon subunit in F0F1-ATPase/synthase undergoes drastic conformational rearrangement, which involves the transition of two C-terminal helices between a hairpin "down"-state and an extended "up"-state, and the enzyme with the up-fixed epsilon cannot catalyze ATP hydrolysis but can catalyze ATP synthesis (Tsunoda, S. P., Rodgers, A. J. W., Aggeler, R., Wilce, M. C. J., Yoshida, M., and Capaldi, R. A. (2001) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 98, 6560-6564). Here, using cross-linking between introduced cysteine residues as a probe, we have investigated the causes of the transition. Our findings are as follows. (i) In the up-state, the two helices of epsilon are fully extended to insert the C terminus into a deeper position in the central cavity of F1 than was thought previously. (ii) Without a nucleotide, epsilon is in the up-state. ATP induces the transition to the down-state, and ADP counteracts the action of ATP. (iii) Conversely, the enzyme with the down-state epsilon can bind an ATP analogue, 2',3'-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-ATP, much faster than the enzyme with the up-state epsilon. (iv) Proton motive force stabilizes the up-state. Thus, responding to the increase of proton motive force and ADP, F0F1-ATPase/synthase would transform the epsilon subunit into the up-state conformation and change gear to the mode for ATP synthesis.