Aspects of Subunit Interactions in the Chloroplast ATP Synthase (I. Isolation of a Chloroplast Coupling Factor 1-Subunit III Complex from Spinach Thylakoids)

A chloroplast ATP synthase complex (CF1 [chloroplast-coupling factor 1]-CF0 [membrane-spanning portion of chloroplast ATP synthase]) depleted of all CF0 subunits except subunit III (also known as the proteolipid subunit) was purified to study the interaction between CF1 and subunit III. Subunit III has a putative role in proton translocation across the thylakoid membrane during photophosphorylation; therefore, an accurate model of subunit inter-actions involving subunit III will be valuable for elucidating the mechanism and regulation of energy coupling. Purification of the complex from a crude CF1-CF0 preparation from spinach (Spinacia oleracea) thylakoids was accomplished by detergent treatment during anion-exchange chromatography. Subunit III in the complex was positively identified by amino acid analysis and N-terminal sequencing. The association of subunit III with CF1 was verified by linear sucrose gradient centrifugation, immunoprecipitation, and incorporation of the complex into asolectin liposomes. After incorporation into liposomes, CF1 was removed from the CF1-III complex by ethylenediaminetetracetate treatment. The subunit III-proteoliposomes were competent to rebind purified CF1. These results indicate that subunit III directly interacts with CF1 in spinach thylakoids.     

Subunit interactions within the chloroplast ATP synthase (CF0-CF1) as deduced by specific depletion of CF0 polypeptides

The proton-linked ATP synthase (CF1-CF0) of chloroplasts consists of a catalytic component (CF1) and a membrane-embedded part (CF0) that interacts with CF1 and contains a proton channel. The subunits of CF0 which are involved in binding of CF1 were studied by examining the effect of selective depletion of subunits I, II, and IV of CF0 from the chloroplast ATP synthase on the association of the remaining CF0 subunits with CF1. Dissociated CF0 subunits were identified by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Removal of subunit IV alone from CF0-CF1 did not cause dissociation of the other CF0 subunits from CF1. Upon removal of both subunits I and IV from CF0-CF1, subunit II also dissociated, but subunit III was still bound to CF1. Thus, at least two subunits of CF0, I and III, directly associate with CF1. Subunit II is unlikely to bind CF1 directly and may associate with subunit I. Although depletion of subunit IV does not cause dissociation of CF0 from CF1, its interaction with CF1 subunits is uncertain.     

Cross-reconstitution of the F0F1-ATP synthases of chloroplasts and Escherichia coli with special emphasis on subunit delta

F0F1-ATP synthases catalyse ATP formation from ADP and Pi by using the free energy supplied by the transmembrane electrochemical potential of the proton. The delta subunit of F1 plays an important role at the interface between the channel portion F0 and the catalytic portion F1. In chloroplasts it can plug the protonic conductance of CF0 and in Escherichia coli it is required for binding of EF1 to EF0. We wanted to know whether or not delta of one species was effective between F0 and F1 of the other species and vice versa. To this end the respective coupling membrane (thylakoids, everted vesicles from E. coli) was (partially) depleted of F1 and purified F1, F1(-delta), and delta were added in various combinations to the F1-depleted membranes. The efficiency or reconstitution was measured in thylakoids via the rate of phenazinemethosulfate-mediated cyclic photophosphorylation and in E. coli everted vesicles via the degree of 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine fluorescence quenching. Addition of CF1 to partially CF1-depleted thylakoid vesicles restored photophosphorylation to the highest extent. CF1(-delta)+chloroplast delta, EF1, EF1(-delta)+E. coli delta were also effective but to lesser extent. CF1(-delta)+E. coli delta and EF1(-delta)+chloroplast delta restored photophosphorylation to a small but still significant extent. With F1-depleted everted vesicles prepared by repeated EDTA treatment of E. coli membranes, addition of CF1, CF1 (-delta)+chloroplast delta and CF1(-delta)+E. coli delta gave approximately half the extent of 9-amino-6-chloro-2-methoxyacridine fluorescence quenching as compared to EF1 or EF1(-delta)+E. coli delta by energization of the vesicles with NADH, while Ef1(-delta)+chloroplast delta was ineffective. All 'mixed' combinations were probably reconstitutively active only by plugging the protonic leak through the exposed F0 (structural reconstitution) rather than by catalytic activity. Nevertheless, the cross-reconstitution is stunning in view of the weak sequence similarity between chloroplast delta and E. coli delta. It favors a role of delta as a conformational transducer rather than as a proton conductor between F0 and F1.     

Chloroplast ATP synthase contains one single copy of subunit delta that is indispensable for photophosphorylation

F0F1 ATP synthases synthesize ATP in their F1 portion at the expense of free energy supplied by proton flow which enters the enzyme through their channel portion F0. The smaller subunits of F1, especially subunit delta, may act as energy transducers between these rather distant functional units. We have previously shown that chloroplast delta, when added to thylakoids partially depleted of the coupling factor CF1, can reconstitute photophosphorylation by inhibiting proton leakage through exposed coupling factor CF0. In view of controversies in the literature, we reinvestigated two further aspects related to subunit delta, namely (a) its stoichiometry in CF0CF1 and (b) whether or not delta is required for photophosphorylation. By rocket immunoelectrophoresis of thylakoid membranes and calibration against purified delta, we confirmed a stoichiometry of one delta per CF0CF1. In CF1-depleted thylakoids photophosphorylation could be reconstituted not only by adding CF1 and subunit delta but, surprisingly, also by CF1 (-delta). We found that the latter was attributable to a contamination of CF1 (-delta) preparations with integral CF1. To lesser extent CF1 (-delta) acted by complementary rebinding to CF0 channels that were closed because they contained delta [CF0(+delta)]. This added catalytic capacity to proton-tight thylakoid vesicles. The ability of subunit delta to control proton flow through CF0 and the absolute requirement for delta in restoration of photophosphorylation suggest an essential role of this small subunit at the interface between the large portions of ATP synthase: delta may be part of the coupling site between electrochemical, conformational and chemical events in this enzyme.     

Subunit delta of H(+)-ATPases: at the interface between proton flow and ATP synthesis

The ATP synthases in photophosphorylation and respiration are of the F-type with a membrane-bound proton channel, F0, and an extrinsic catalytic portion, F1. The properties of one particular subunit, delta (in chloroplasts and Escherichia coli) and OSCP (in mitochondria), are reviewed and the role of this subunit at the interface between F0 and F1 is discussed. Delta and OSCP from the three sources have in common the molecular mass (approximately 20 kDa), an elongated shape (axial ratio in solution about 3:1), one high-affinity binding site to F1 (Kd approximately 100 nM) plus probably one or two further low-affinity sites. When isolated delta is added to CF1-depleted thylakoid membranes, it can block proton flow through exposed CF0 channels, as do CF1 or CF1(-delta)+ delta. This identifies delta as part of the proton conductor or, alternatively, conformational energy transducer between F0 (proton flow) and F1 (ATP). Hybrid constructs as CF1(-delta)+ E. coli delta and EF1(-delta)+ chloroplast delta diminish proton flow through CF0.CF1(-delta) + E. coli delta does the same on EF0. Impairment of proton leaks either through CF0 or through EF0 causes "structural reconstitution' of ATP synthesis by remaining intact F0F1. Functional reconstitution (ATP synthesis by fully reconstructed F0F1), however, is absolutely dependent on the presence of subunit delta and is therefore observed only with CF1 or CF1(-delta) + chloroplast delta on CF0 and EF1 or EF1(-delta) + E. coli delta on EF0. The effect of hybrid constructs on F0 channels is surprising in view of the limited sequence homology between chloroplast and E. coli delta (36% conserved residues including conservative replacements). An analysis of the distribution of the conserved residues at present does not allow us to discriminate between the postulated conformational or proton-conductive roles of subunit delta.     

SecD and SecF are required for the proton electrochemical gradient stimulation of preprotein translocation.

Mutations in secD and secF show impaired protein translocation across the inner membrane of Escherichia coli. We investigated the effect of SecD and SecF (SecD/F) depletion on preprotein translocation into inverted inner membrane vesicles (IMVs). Both IMVs and cells which were depleted of SecD/F were defective in their ability to maintain a proton electrochemical gradient. The translocation of pre-maltose binding protein (preMBP), which is strongly delta microH+ dependent, showed a 5-fold decreased rate with IMVs lacking SecD/F. In contrast, proteolytic processing of preMBP to MBP by leader peptidase was similar in IMVs containing and lacking SecD/F, consistent with earlier findings that only ATP-dependent translocation is required for the initiation of translocation. In the absence of a delta microH+, with ATP as the sole energy source, preMBP translocation into IMVs which contained or were depleted of SecD/F was identical. Translocation of the precursor of outer membrane protein A (proOmpA) in the presence of subsaturating ATP also required a generated delta microH+ and, under these conditions, proOmpA translocation required SecD/F. With saturating concentrations of ATP, where delta microH+ has little effect on in vitro proOmpA translocation, SecD/F also had little effect on translocation. These results explain why SecD/F effects are precursor protein dependent in vitro.     

Reconstitution of photophosphorylation in EDTA-treated thylakoids by added chloroplast coupling factor 1 (ATPase) and chloroplast coupling factor 1 lacking the delta subunit. Structural or functional?

Upon EDTA treatment thylakoids lose the chloroplast coupling factor 1 (CF1) part of their ATP synthase, CF0CF1, this exposes the proton channel, CF0. The previously established ability of the CF1 subunit delta to block the proton leak through CF0 prompted us to study (a) the ability of complete CF1 and, for comparison, CF1 lacking the delta subunit to block proton leakage and thereby to reconstitute structurally some photophosphorylation activity of the remaining CF0CF1 molecules and (b) their ability to form functional enzymes (functional reconstitution). In order to discriminate between activities caused by added CF1 or CF1(-delta) and remaining CF0CF1, the former were inhibited by chemical modification of subunit beta by N,N'-dicyclohexyl carbodiimide (DCCD) and the latter by tentoxin. We found that added CF1 acted both structurally and functionally while added DCCD-treated CF1 (DCCD-CF1) acted only structurally. In contrast to previous observations, CF1(-delta) and DCCD-CF1(-delta) also acted structurally although the reduction of proton leakage was smaller than with DCCD-CF1. Hence there was no functional reconstitution without subunit delta present. Previous studies indicated that only a small fraction of exposed CF0 is highly conducting and that this small fraction is distinguished by its high affinity for added CF1. The results of this study point rather to a wider distribution of CF0 conductance states and binding affinities.     

叶绿体H^＋—ATP酶在平板脂双层上重组及其质子传导的研究

从菠菜(Spinacia oleracea Mill.)叶中分离获得H~ -ATP酶(CF_0-CF_1)复合体。将CF_0-CF_1重组于平板脂双层上,在电压钳位下,研究CF_0～CF_1的质子传导性能,观察到:(1)当CF_0-CF_1重组于平板脂双层上后,平板膜电阻由10～20GΩ立即下降到1GΩ左右。(2)溶液中蛋白质(CF_0-CF_1)浓度在2mg/L下可记录到单通道电流的涨落,单位电导约在5～10pS。(3)通道电流随膜两侧ΔpH变化而改变,在ΔpH为2～4时,膜电流随ΔpH增加而增大,在ΔpH为4.5时膜电流呈现回落。(4)质子传导抑制剂Dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide(DCCD)显示出迅速地且不可逆地阻断通道电流。(5)无金属离子的溶液中,跨膜(BLM)的ΔpH为3时,在0～ 150mV钳位下,镁离子比钙离子所引起的CF_0-CF_1的通道电流要大得多。以上结果不仅表明CF_0-CF_1已成功地组装于人工膜上,而且也显示出镁离子直接参与了质子传导过程。     

Functional Consequences of Deletions of the N Terminus of the [epsilon] Subunit of the Chloroplast ATP Synthase

The [epsilon] subunit of the chloroplast ATP synthase functions in part to prevent wasteful ATP hydrolysis by the enzyme. In addition, [epsilon] together with the remainder of the catalytic portion of the synthase (CF1) is required to block the nonproductive leak of protons through the membrane-embedded component of the synthase (CFO). Mutant [epsilon] subunits of the spinach (Spinacia oleracea) chloroplast ATP synthase that lack 5, 11, or 20 amino acids from their N termini ([epsilon]-[delta]5N, [epsilon]-[delta]11N, and [epsilon]-[delta]20N, respectively), were overexpressed as inclusion bodies. Using a procedure that resulted in the folding of full-length, recombinant [epsilon] in a biologically active form, none of these truncated forms resulted in [epsilon] that inhibited the ATPase activity of CF1 deficient in [epsilon], CF1(-[epsilon]). Yet, the [epsilon]-[delta]5N and [epsilon]-[delta]11N peptides significantly inhibited the ATPase activity of CF1(-[epsilon]) bound to CFO in NaBr-treated thylakoids. Although full-length [epsilon] rapidly inhibited the ATPase activity of CF1(-[epsilon]) in solution or bound to CFO, an extended period was required for the truncated forms to inhibit membrane-bound CF1(-[epsilon]). Despite the fact that [epsilon]-[delta]5N significantly inhibited the ATPase activity of CF1(-[epsilon]) bound to CFO, it did not block the proton conductance through CFO in NaBr-treated thylakoids reconstituted with CF1(-[epsilon]). Based on selective proteolysis and the binding of 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid, each of the truncated peptides gained significant secondary structure after folding. These results strongly suggest (a) that the N terminus of [epsilon] is important in its binding to CF1, (b) that CF0 stabilizes [epsilon] binding to the entire ATP synthase, and (c) that the N terminus may play some role in the regulation of proton flux through CFO.     

Proton-Conductivity of CF0-CF1 Reconstructed into Planar Lipid Bilayer

The proton conductable ATP synthase (CF0-CF1) is the key enzyme of energy conversion in the membrane of bacteria, mitochondria and chloroplast. In spite of a large body of studies, the structure and molecular mechanism of ATP synthases are still elusive. In order to learn the mechanism of ATP synthases, the authors used voltage-olamp technique to study the effect of different conditions on the proton conductance of F0-F1 into planar lipid bilayer membrane. The results obtained were as follows: (1) When CF0-CF1 was reconstructed into planar lipid bilayer membrane, the resistance decreased by 10 times. (2) Channel-like current was recorded at the low concentration of CF0-CFl(protein 2 mg/L) in the solution. (3) In metal ion-free solution, the channel currents changed with the trans-membrane proton gradient (ApH). Under holding potential from 0 to + 150 mV, the stimulation of △pH on channel current increased with a rise in the ApH from 2 to 4, the stimulation of 4.5 △pH on channel current was weaker than that of △pH 4.0. (4) The proton conduetance inhibitor, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), showed a rapid and irreversible inhibition effect on the channel current. (5) In metal ion-free solution (10 mmol/L Tris-HC1), when the ApH across the black lipid membrane (BLM) maintained at 3.0, the addition of Mg2 + caused a alger channel current of CF0-CF1 than the addition of Ca2+ , with holding potential from 0 to + 150 mV. The results indicated that reconstruction of CF0-CF1 was successful and Mg2 + was directly involved in the proton conductance pathways.     

Chromatographic purification of the chloroplast ATP synthase (CF0-CF1) and the role of CF0 subunit IV in proton conduction

Chromatographic procedures were developed to purify chloroplast ATP synthase (CF0-CF1) in large amounts and to resolve subunits from this enzyme. The ATP synthase thus obtained has high ATP-Pi exchange and Mg2(+)-ATPase activities upon incorporation into asolectin liposomes. The purity of this preparation was about 95%. By modifications of this chromatographic procedure, we purified subunit IV-deficient CF0-CF1, subunit IV-deficient CF0, and subunit IV. Both ATP-Pi exchange and Mg2(+)-ATPase activities were impaired by depletion of subunit IV from CF0-CF1. Partial restoration of these activities was obtained by reconstituting subunit IV-deficient CF0-CF1 with subunit IV. The impairment of these activities was likely caused by a loss in proton conductivity of CF0 upon removal of subunit IV. The dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-sensitive Mg2(+)-ATPase of subunit IV-deficient CF0-CF1 was not as sensitive to the depletion of subunit IV as ATP-Pi exchange. Nearly 90% of subunit IV could be removed, but Mg2(+)-ATPase activity was inhibited by only 40-60%. Thus subunit IV of CF0-CF1 may not participate directly in proton transfer but may have a role in organizing and/or stabilizing CF0 structure.     

Sulfide-dependent photosynthetic electron flow coupled to proton translocation in thylakoids of the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria limnetica

Light-induced proton translocation coupled to sulfide-dependent electron transport has been studied in isolated thylakoids of the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria limnetica. The thylakoids are obtained by osmotic shock of washed spheroplasts, prepared with glycine-betaine as the osmotic stabilizer. 13C NMR studies suggests that betaine is the major osmoregulator in O. limnetica. Thylakoid preparations obtained from both sulfide-induced anoxygenic cells and noninduced oxygenic cells are capable of proton pumping coupled to phenazinemethosulfate-mediated cyclic electron flow. However, only in the induced thylakoids can sulfide-dependent proton gradient (delta pH) formation be measured, using either NADP or methyl viologen as the terminal acceptor. Sulfide-dependent delta pH formation correlates with a high-affinity electron donation site (apparent Km 44 microM at pH 7.9). This site is not lost upon washing of the thylakoids. In addition, both sulfide-dependent electron transport and delta pH formation are sensitive to inhibitors of the cytochrome b6f complex such as 2-n-nonyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide, 2,4-dinitrophenyl ether of 2-iodo-4-nitrothymol, or stigmatellin. Sulfide-dependent NADP photoreduction of low affinity (which does not saturate by as much as 7 mM sulfide) is detected in both induced and noninduced thylakoids, but this activity is insensitive to the inhibitors and is not coupled to proton transport. It is suggested that the adaptation of O. limnetica to anoxygenic photosynthesis involves the induction of a thylakoid factor(s) which creates a high-affinity site for sulfide, and the transfer of its electrons via the cytochrome b6f complex, coupled to proton translocation.     

Properties of the cyanobacterial coupling factor ATPase from Spirulina platensis. II. Activity of the purified and membrane-bound enzymes

Cyanobacterial (Spirulina platensis) photosynthetic membranes and isolated F1 ATPase were characterized with respect to ATP activity. The following results indicate that the regulation of expression of ATPase activity in Spirulina platensis is similar to that found in chloroplasts: the ATPase activity of Spirulina membranes and isolated F1 ATPase is mostly latent, a characteristic of chloroplast ATPase activity; treatments that elicit ATPase activity in higher plant chloroplast thylakoids and isolated chloroplast coupling factor (CF1) greatly stimulate the activity of Spirulina membranes and F1, and the cation specificity of chloroplast ATPase activity, e. g., light-induced membrane activity that is magnesium dependent and trypsin-activated CF1 activity that is calcium dependent, is also observed in Spirulina. Thus, an 8- to 15-fold increase in specific activity (to 13-15 mumol Pi min-1 mg chl-1) is obtained when Spirulina membranes are treated with trypsin (CaATPase) or with methanol (MgATPase): a light-induced, dithiothreitol-dependent MgATPase activity is also found in the membranes. Purified Spirulina F1 is a CaATPase when activated with trypsin (endogenous activity increases from 4 to 27-37 mumol Pi min-1 mg protein-1) or with dithiothreitol (5.6 mumol Pi min-1 mg-1), but a MgATPase when assayed with methanol (18-20 mumol Pi min-1 mg-1). The effects of varying calcium and ATP concentrations on the kinetics of trypsin-induced CaATPase activity of Spirulina F1 were examined. When the calcium concentration is varied at constant ATP concentration, the velocity plot shows a marked sigmoidicity. By varying Ca-ATP metal-nucleotide complex concentration at constant concentrations of free calcium or ATP, it is shown that the sigmoidicity is due to the effect of free ATP, which changes the Hill constant to 1.6 from 1.0 observed when the free calcium concentration is kept constant at 5 mM. Therefore not only is ATP an inhibitor but it is also an allosteric effector of Spirulina F1 ATPase activity. At 5 mM free calcium, the Km for teh Ca-ATP metal-nucleotide complex is 0.42 mM.     

Aspects of Subunit Interactions in the Chloroplast ATP Synthase (II. Characterization of a Chloroplast Coupling Factor 1-Subunit III Complex from Spinach Thylakoids)

A complex between chloroplast-coupling factor 1 (CF1) and subunit III of the membrane-spanning portion of the chloroplast ATP synthase (CF0), isolated as described in the accompanying paper (C.M. Wetzel and R.E. McCarty [1993] Plant Physiol 102: 241-249), has been further characterized. A comparison of the ATPase activities of CF1, CF1-subunit III, and the chloroplast ATP synthase (CF1-CF0) holoenzyme revealed that the properties of CF1-subunit III more closely resemble those of CF1-CF0 than those of CF1. In particular, the Ca2+-ATPase activity after reduction of the enzyme with dithiothreitol was much lower in CF1-subunit III and CF1-CF0 than in CF1, suggesting that the association of the inhibitory [epsilon] subunit is tightened by the presence of either CF0 or subunit III. Cold stability is a property of CF1-CF0 in thylakoid membranes. The ATPase activity of CF1 incubated in the cold in the presence of asolectin liposomes was lost more rapidly than that of either CF1-subunit III or CF1-CF0 incorporated into liposomes. Removal of the [epsilon] subunit from all three preparations resulted in marked stimulation of their ATPase activity. Although subunit III was also removed during depletion of the [epsilon] subunit, it is not known whether the two subunits interact directly. CF1 deficient in the [epsilon] subunit binds to liposomes containing either subunit III or CF0. Taken together, these results provide evidence that the association of CF1 and subunit III of CFo is specific and may play a role in enzyme regulation.     

Delta subunit of chloroplast coupling factor 1 inhibits proton leakage through coupling factor O

The ATP synthase of chloroplasts consists of a proton-conducting portion, CF0, and a catalytic portion, CF1. The smaller subunits of CF1, in particular delta, may play a key role in the coupling of proton transport to ATP synthesis. Purified subunit delta, when added to partially CF1-depleted thylakoid membranes, can restore photophosphorylation (Engelbrecht, S., and Junge, W. (1987) Eur. J. Biochem. 172, 213-218). We report here that it does so by blocking proton conduction through CF0. Thylakoids were CF1-depleted by incubation in hypoosmolar NaCl/EDTA solutions. Variation of the NaCl concentrations and of the incubation times not only changed the overall degree of CF1 depletion but also the subunit composition of solubilized CF1, namely CF1 containing delta and CF1(-delta). This was quantified by immunoelectrophoresis and by fast protein liquid chromatography. Proton conduction was measured by flash spectrophotometry by using standard electrochromic and pH-indicating absorption changes. The removal of integral CF1 was correlated with high electric conductance of thylakoid membranes, an increased extent of rapid proton leakage, and loss of ATP synthesis activity, which exceeded the percentual loss of CF1. The removal of predominantly CF1(-delta) resulted in comparatively lesser effects on the loss of ATP synthesis and on the extent and velocity of proton leakage. On the same line, addition of integral CF1 and of purified delta diminished the electric leak in CF1-depleted thylakoids. Both approaches, the controlled removal of CF1 and CF1(-delta), respectively, and addition of delta and CF1 showed that delta can act as a "stopcock" to the exposed proton channel CF0.     

Purified subunit delta of chloroplast coupling factor CF1 reconstitutes photophosphorylation in partially CF1-depleted membranes

The ATP synthase of chloroplasts consists of the proton channel, CF0, and the catalytic part, CF1, which carries nucleotide-binding sites on subunits alpha and beta. The still poorly understood interaction between CF0 and the catalytic sites on CF1 is mediated by the smaller subunits gamma, delta and epsilon of CF1. We investigated the ability of purified delta to block proton leakage through CF0 channels after their exposure by removal of the CF1 counterpart. Thylakoids were partially depleted of CF1 by EDTA treatment. This increased their proton permeability and thereby reduced the rate of photophosphorylation. Subunit delta was isolated and purified by FPLC [Engelbrecht, S. and Junge, W. (1987) FEBS Lett. 219, 321-325]. Addition of delta to EDTA-treated thylakoids reconstituted high rates of phenazine-methosulfate-mediated photophosphorylation. Since delta does not interact with nucleotides by itself, the reconstitution was due to a reduction of the proton leakage through open CF0 channels. The molar ratio of purified delta over exposed CF0, which started to elicit this effect, was 3:1. However, if delta was added together with purified CF1 lacking delta, in a 1:1 molar ratio, the relative amount over exposed CF0 was as low as 0.06. This corroborated our previous conclusion [Lill, H., Engelbrecht, S., Sch?nknecht, G. and Junge, W. (1986) Eur. J. Biochem. 160, 627-634] that only a very small fraction of exposed CF0 was actually proton-conducting but with a very high unit conductance. CF1 including delta was apparently rebound preferentially to open CF0 channels. Although the ability of delta to control proton conduction through CF0 was evident, it remains to be established whether delta acts as a gated proton valve or as a conformational transducer in the integral CF0CF1 ATPase.     

Purification and reconstitution of active chloroplast F0

Chloroplast F0 (CF0) was purified from the ATP synthase by Zwittergent 3-12 treatment and DEAE-Trisacryl anion exchange chromatography. Purified CF0 contains four subunits corresponding to subunits I, II, III, and IV. CF0 mediated proton translocation across the membrane after incorporation into asolectin liposomes. The CF0-mediated proton transport was inhibited by N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and the binding of chloroplast coupling factor 1 (CF1). Rebinding of CF1 to CF0 liposomes resulted in reconstitution of N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and uncoupler sensitive energy-transducing activities. Like CF0 in native thylakoid membranes, purified CF0 bound CF1 as well as CF1 deficient in either the delta or epsilon subunits.     

Alterations in Chloroplast Thylakoids during an in Vitro Freeze-Thaw Cycle

Plastocyanin and chloroplast coupling factor 1 (CF(1)) are released from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) thylakoids during a slow freezethaw cycle. CF(1) addition increases the proton uptake of thylakoids previously frozen in sucrose concentrations of 15 mm to 100 mm. Addition of CF(1) and plastocyanin restores the proton uptake of thylakoids frozen in 100 mm sucrose. Plastocyanin and CF(1) release is a manifestation, not the cause, of freeze-thaw damage.Frozen-thawed thylakoids appear to exhibit two levels of response to sucrose as measured by light-dependent proton uptake. Different levels of protection afforded by sucrose may be due, in part, to quantitative differences in CF(1) release. The results suggest at least three freeze-induced lesions in light-dependent proton uptake by thylakoids: plastocyanin release, CF(1) release, and disruption of the semi-permeability of thylakoids.     

The chloroplast Tat pathway utilizes the transmembrane electric potential as an energy source

The thylakoid membrane, located inside the chloroplast, requires proteins transported across it for plastid biogenesis and functional photosynthetic electron transport. The chloroplast Tat translocator found on thylakoids transports proteins from the plastid stroma to the thylakoid lumen. Previous studies have shown that the chloroplast Tat pathway is independent of NTP hydrolysis as an energy source and instead depends on the thylakoid transmembrane proton gradient to power protein translocation. Because of its localization on the same membrane as the proton motive force-dependent F(0)F(1) ATPase, we believed that the chloroplast Tat pathway also made use of the thylakoid electric potential for transporting substrates. By adjusting the rate of photosynthetic proton pumping and by utilizing ionophores, we show that the chloroplast Tat pathway can also utilize the transmembrane electric potential for protein transport. Our findings indicate that the chloroplast Tat pathway is likely dependent on the total protonmotive force (PMF) as an energy source. As a protonmotive-dependent device, certain predictions can be made about structural features expected to be found in the Tat translocon, specifically, the presence of a proton well, a device in the membrane that converts electrical potential into chemical potential.     

Acid-induced phosphorylation of adenosine 5'-diphosphate bound to coupling factor 1 in spinach chloroplast thylakoids.

Adenosine 5'-diphosphate, bound to coupling factor 1 (CF1) in spinach chloroplast thylakoids, is in part converted to adenosine 5'-triphosphate, upon injection of the thylakoids into strong acids in the dark. Bound phosphate serves as the phosphoryl donor for this uncoupler-insensitive conversion. Exposure of the thylakoids to heat or to urea prior to their injection into acid caused dissociation of ADP and prevents the apparent acid-induced synthesis of ATP. Conformational changes in CF1 may be elicited by acid denaturation which resemble those brought about by the proton electrochemical gradient across thylakoid membranes.