Molecular structure of a gene, VMA1, encoding the catalytic subunit of H(+)-translocating adenosine triphosphatase from vacuolar membranes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Subunit a of the vacuolar membrane H(+)-translocating adenosine triphosphatase of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains a catalytic site for ATP hydrolysis. N-terminal sequences of six tryptic peptides of the subunit were determined. Based on the peptide sequence information, a 39-base oligonucleotide probe was synthesized, and the gene encoding the subunit (VMA1) was isolated from a genomic DNA library by hybridization. The nucleotide sequence of the gene predicts a polypeptide of 1,071 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 118,635 daltons, which is much larger than the value 67 kDa estimated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. N- and C-terminal regions of the deduced sequence (residues 1-284 and 739-1,071) are very similar to those of the catalytic subunits of carrot (69 kDa) and Neurospora crassa (67 kDa) vacuolar membrane H(+)-ATPases (62 and 73% identity over 600 residues, respectively). The homologous regions also show about 25% sequence identity over 400 residues with beta-subunits of F0F1-ATPases. In contrast, the internal region containing 454 amino acid residues (residues 285-738) shows no detectable sequence similarities to any known ATPase subunits and instead is similar to a yeast endonuclease encoded by the HO gene. None of the six tryptic peptides is located in this internal region. Northern blotting analysis detected a single mRNA of 3.5 kilobases, indicating that the gene has no introns. Although the reason for the discrepancy in molecular mass is unclear at present, these results suggest that a novel processing mechanism, which might involve a post-translational excision of the internal region followed by peptide ligation, operates on the yeast VMA1 product. The VMA1 gene has proven to be the same gene as the TFP1 gene (Shih, C.-K., Wagner, R., Feinstein, S., Kanik-Ennulat, C., and Neff, N. (1988) Mol. Cell. Biol. 8, 3094-3103) whose dominant mutant allele (TFP1-408) confers a dominant trifluoperazine resistance and Ca2(+)-sensitive growth. This and our findings suggest that the vacuolar membrane H(+)-ATPase participates in maintenance of cytoplasmic Ca2+ homeostasis.     

Subunit composition of the H+-ATPase complex from anaerobic bacterium Lactobacillus casei

The H+-ATPase complex has been isolated from the membranes of the anaerobic bacterium Lactobacillus casei by two independent methods. 1. The crossed-immunoelectrophoresis of the 14C-labelled ATPase complex against antibodies to a highly purified soluble ATPase has been used. The subunit composition of the complex has been established by autoradiography. The soluble part of L. casei ATPase, in contrast to coupling factor F1-ATPases of aerobic bacteria, chloroplasts and mitochondria which include two kinds of large subunit (alpha and beta), consists of one kind of large subunit with a molecular mass of 43 kDa. Moreover, a minor polypeptide of 25 kDa has been found in the soluble ATPase. Factor F0 of L. casei ATPase complex consists of a 16-kDa subunit and two subunits with molecular masses less than 14 kDa. 2. A dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-sensitive ATPase complex has been isolated from L. casei membranes by treating them with a mixture of octyl glucoside and sodium cholate. The complex, purified by centrifugation on a sucrose density gradient, contains the main subunits with molecular masses of 43 kDa, 25 kDa and 16 kDa and a dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-binding subunit with a molecular mass less than 14 kDa.     

The ntp operon encoding the Na+ V-ATPase of the thermophile Caloramator fervidus

The V-type ATPase of the thermophile Caloramator fervidus is an ATP-driven Na⁺ pump. The nucleotide sequence of the ntpFIKECGABD operon containing the structural genes coding for the nine subunits of the enzyme complex was determined. The identity of the proteins in two pairs of subunits (D, E and F, G) that have very similar mobilities on SDS-PAGE of the purified complex (24.3 and 22.7 kDa, and 12.3 and 11.6 kDa) was established by tryptic digestion of the protein bands followed by mass spectrometric analysis of the peptides.     

Some peculiarities of functioning of H+-ATPase from the membranes of the anaerobic bacterium Lactobacillus casei

Radiation inactivation analysis gave the target sizes of 176 +/- 5 kDa and 275 +/- 33 kDa for ATPase from anaerobic Lactobacillus casei and aerobic Micrococcus luteus bacteria respectively. The values are close to the known molecular masses of the enzymes. Thus, to function the L. casei ATPase, like the F1-ATPases, requires a complete structure composed of all the enzyme subunits. L. casei ATPase is inhibited by 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole owing to modification of an amino acid residue(s) with pK greater than 8.5. L. casei ATPase consists of six identical subunits and differs from alpha 3 beta 3 gamma delta epsilon-type F1-ATPases in a number of catalytic properties. Namely, ATP hydrolysis under the 'unisite' conditions proceeds at a relatively high rate suggesting the absence of cooperative interactions between the catalytic sites. Contrary to mitochondrial F1-ATPase. L. casei ATPase does not form an inactive complex with ADP. These findings imply essential differences in the operating mechanism for L. casei ATPase and F1 ATPase.     

A comparison of an ATPase from the archaebacterium Halobacterium saccharovorum with the F1 moiety from the Escherichia coli ATP synthase

A purified ATPase associated with membranes from Halobacterium saccharovorum was compared with the F1 moiety from the Escherichia coli ATP synthase. The halobacterial enzyme was composed of two major (I and II) and two minor subunits (III and IV), whose molecular masses were 87 kDa, 60 kDa, 29 kDa and 20 kDa, respectively. The isoelectric points of these subunits ranged from 4.1 to 4.8, which in the case of the subunits I and II was consistent with the presence of an excess of acidic amino acids (20-22 mol/100 mol). Peptide mapping of subunits I and II denatured with sodium dodecyl sulfate showed no relationship between the primary structures of the individual halobacterial subunits or similarities to the subunits of the F1 ATPase from E. coli. Trypsin inactivation of the halobacterial ATPase was accompanied by the partial degradation of the major subunits. This observation, taken in conjunction with molecular masses of the subunits and the native enzyme, was consistent with the previously proposed stoichiometry of 2:2:1:1. These results suggest that H. saccharovorum, and possibly, halobacteria in general, possess an ATPase which is unlike the ubiquitous F0F1 ATP synthase.     

Plant mitochondrial F0F1 ATP synthase. Identification of the individual subunits and properties of the purified spinach leaf mitochondrial ATP synthase.

Spinach leaf mitochondrial F0F1 ATPase has been purified and is shown to consist of twelve polypeptides. Five of the polypeptides constitute the F1 part of the enzyme. The remaining polypeptides, with molecular masses of 28 kDa, 23 kDa, 18.5 kDa, 15 kDa, 10.5 kDa, 9.5 kDa and 8.5 kDa, belong to the F0 part of the enzyme. This is the first report concerning identification of the subunits of the plant mitochondrial F0. The identification of the components is achieved on the basis of the N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis and Western blot technique using monospecific antibodies against proteins characterized in other sources. The 28-kDa protein crossreacts with antibodies against the subunit of bovine heart ATPase with N-terminal Pro-Val-Pro- which corresponds to subunit F0b of Escherichia coli F0F1. Sequence analysis of the N-terminal 32 amino acids of the 23-kDa protein reveals that this protein is similar to mammalian oligomycin-sensitivity-conferring protein and corresponds to the F1 delta subunit of the chloroplast and E. coli ATPases. The 18.5-kDa protein crossreacts with antibodies against subunit 6 of the beef heart F0 and its N-terminal sequence of 14 amino acids shows a high degree of sequence similarity to the conserved regions at N-terminus of the ATPase subunits 6 from different sources. ATPase subunit 6 corresponds to subunit F0a of the E. coli enzyme. The 15-kDa protein and the 10.5-kDa protein crossreact with antibodies against F6 and the endogenous ATPase inhibitor protein of beef heart F0F1-ATPase, respectively. The 9.5-kDa protein is an N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-binding protein corresponding to subunit F0c of the E. coli enzyme. The 8.5-kDa protein is of unknown identity. The isolated spinach mitochondrial F0F1 ATPase catalyzes oligomycin-sensitive ATPase activity of 3.5 mumol.mg-1.min-1. The enzyme catalyzes also hydrolysis of GTP (7.5 mumol.mg-1.min-1) and ITP (4.4 mumol.mg-1.min-1). Hydrolysis of ATP was stimulated fivefold in the presence of amphiphilic detergents, however the hydrolysis of other nucleotides could not be stimulated by these agents. These results show that the plant mitochondrial F0F1 ATPase complex differs in composition from the other mitochondrial, chloroplast and bacterial ATPases. The enzyme is, however, more closely related to the yeast mitochondrial ATPase and to the animal mitochondrial ATPase than to the chloroplast enzyme. The plant mitochondrial enzyme, however, exhibits catalytic properties which are characteristic for the chloroplast enzyme.     

Development and use of domain-specific antibodies in a characterization of the large subunits of soybean photosystem 1.

The molecular architecture of the soybean photosystem 1 reaction center complex was examined using a combination of surface labeling and immunological methodology on isolated thylakoid membranes. Synthetic peptides (12 to 14 amino acids in length) were prepared which correspond to the N-terminal regions of the 83 and 82.4 kDa subunits of photosystem 1 (the PsaA and PsaB proteins, respectively). Similarly, a synthetic peptide was prepared corresponding to the C-terminal region of the PsaB subunit. These peptides were conjugated to a carrier protein, and were used for the production of polyclonal antibodies in rabbits. The resulting sera could distinguish between the PsaA and PsaB photosystem 1 subunits by Western blot analysis, and could identify appropriate size classes of cyanogen bromide cleavage fragments as predicted from the primary sequences of these two subunits. When soybean thylakoid membranes were surface-labeled with N-hydroxysuccinimidobiotin, several subunits of the complete photosystem 1 lipid/protein complex incorporated label. These included the light harvesting chlorophyll proteins of photosystem 1, and peptides thought to aid in the docking of ferredoxin to the complex during photosynthetic electron transport. However, the PsaA and PsaB subunits showed very little biotinylation. When these subunits were examined for the domains to which biotin did attach, most of the observed label was associated with the N-terminal domain of the PsaA subunit, as identified using a domain-specific polyclonal antisera.     

8-Azido-adenosine 5'-triphosphate as a photoaffinity label for bacterial F1 ATPase.

1. 8-Azido-adenosine 5'-triphosphate (n83ATP) is a suitable photoaffinity label for F1 ATPase from Micrococcus luteus. The nucleotide is a substrate in the presence of bivalent cations and inhibits the enzyme irreversibly upon irradiation with ultraviolet light above 300 nm. 2. More than 80% of the label is covalently bound to the beta subunits in the presence of bivalent cations. Labeling and inactivation is decreased by protection with ADP, ATP or adenyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate. To a much smaller degree the alpha subunits also become labeled. 3. n83AMP does not specifically bind to the beta subunits upon irradiation. Like n83ATP and n83ADP, it also labels the alpha subunits to a small extent. 4. The F1 ATPase is inactivated after a single beta subunit per F1 complex has become labeled. A cooperativity of the beta subunits carrying nucleotide binding sites is suggested.     

The pho1 mutation. A frameshift, and its compensation, producing altered forms of physiologically efficient ATPase in yeast mitochondria

The pho1 mutation belongs to the OL12 gene on mitochondrial DNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which codes for a membrane factor subunit of the mitochondrial ATPase (apparent molecular mass 20 kDa). We analysed the ATPase complex from the pho1 mutant and from three revertants, after immunoprecipitation from mitochondrial extracts, by dodecyl sulphate/acrylamide gel electrophoresis. In two revertants the OL12 gene product appeared as an abundant slower migrating peptide, while in the pho mutant, two bands appeared in very low amounts. For the third revertant, a strong band appeared at the normal level. Sequencing of the OL12 gene from these strains gave the following results: the pho1 mutation is a frameshift, arising by insertion of an extra thymidine into a group of three. Two of the revertants contain the same group of four thymidines, but genetic compensation of the frameshift occurs 24 base pairs downstream by the loss of four bases, implying a deficit of one codon. The third revertant has recovered the normal three-thymidine sequence. There is excellent correlation between the modified sequences and electrophoretic migration of the peptide product. Owing to the leakiness of the pho1 phenotype (reduced but not nil growth rate on oxidizable carbon sources, 5-10% highly oligomycin-sensitive ATPase complex, low amounts of OL12 gene product peptides), some translational correction of the frameshift is bound to occur. Based on these results, the compatibility of abnormal ATPase architecture with modified energetic efficiency is discussed.     

Subunit Composition of the Zinc Proteins α- and β-Lipovitellin from Chicken

Chicken α- and β-lipovitellin are derived from parent vitellogenin proteins and contain four subunits (125, 80, 40, and 30 kDa) and two subunits (125 and 30 kDa), respectively. Metal analyses demonstrate both are zinc proteins containing 2.1 ± 0.2 mol of zinc/275 kDa per α-lipovitellin and 1.4 ± 0.2 mol of zinc/155 kDa per β-lipovitellin, respectively. The subunits of β-lipovitellin, Lv 1 (MW 125 kDa) and Lv 2 (MW 30 kDa), are separated by gel exclusion chromatography in the presence of zwittergent 3–16. Zinc elutes with Lv 1, suggesting that this subunit binds zinc in the absence of Lv 2. The subunits of α- and β-lipovitellin were separated by SDS-PAGE, digested with trypsin, and mapped by reverse-phase HPLC. The peptide maps of the 125-kDa subunits from α- and β-lipovitellin are essentially identical. Similar results are obtained for the 30-kDa subunits of both lipovitellins. The sequences of five and four peptides of the 125-kDa subunit of α- and β-Lv, respectively, and two peptides of the 30-kDa subunit of α- and β-lipovitellin were determined and match those predicted from the gene for vitellogenin II, Vtg II. Comparison of the amino acid composition of the 125- and 30-kDa subunits of α- and β-lipovitellin support the conclusion that they originate from the same gene. The sequences of peptides from the 80- and 40-kDa subunits of α-lipovitellin have not been found in the NCBI nonredundant data bank. The 27-amino acid N-terminal sequence of the 40-kDa protein is 56% similar to the last third of the Lv 1-coding region of the Vtg II gene, suggesting it may come from an analogous region of the Vtg I gene. We propose a scheme for the precursor—product relationship of Vtg I.     

Structure of an ATPase operon of an acidothermophilic archaebacterium, Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

The nucleotide sequence of the operon of the ATPase complex of an acidothermophilic archaebacterium, Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, has been determined. In addition to the three previously reported genes for the alpha, beta, and c (proteolipid) subunits of the ATPase complex (Denda, K., Konishi, J., Oshima, T., Date, T., and Yoshida, M. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 7119-7121), the operon contained three other genes encoding hydrophilic proteins with molecular masses 25, 13, and 7 kDa. The 25-kDa protein is the third largest subunit (gamma), the 13-kDa protein is most likely the fourth subunit (delta), and the 7-kDa protein may correspond to an unknown subunit of the ATPase, tentatively named as epsilon subunit. They do not have significant sequence similarity to subunits in F0F1-ATPases and eukaryotic V-type ATPases, whereas the other three subunits, alpha, beta, and c, have homologous counterparts in F0F1- and V-type ATPases. The order of the genes in the operon was delta alpha beta gamma epsilon c. The S. acidocaldarius ATPase operon differed from the eucabacterial F0F1-ATPase operon in that the former contains only one gene for a hydrophobic subunit at the most downstream part of the operon whereas the latter has three hydrophobic F0 genes preceding five hydrophilic F1 genes.     

Properties of the partially purified tonoplast H+-pumping ATPase from oat roots

Higher plant cells have one or more vacuoles important for maintaining cell turgor and for the transport and storage of ions and metabolites. One driving force for solute transport across the vacuolar membrane (tonoplast) is provided by an ATP-dependent electrogenic H+ pump. The tonoplast H+-pumping ATPase from oat roots has been solubilized with Triton X-100 and purified 16-fold by Sepharose 4B chromatography. The partially purified enzyme was sensitive to the same inhibitors (N-ethylmaleimide, N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole, 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbene disulfonic acid, and NO-3) as the native membrane-bound enzyme. The partially purified enzyme was stimulated by Cl- (Km(app) = 1.0 mM) and hydrolyzed ATP with a Km(app) of 0.25 mM. Thus, the partially purified tonoplast ATPase has retained the properties of the native membrane-bound enzyme. [14C]DCCD labeled a single polypeptide (14-18 kDa) in the purified tonoplast ATPase preparation. Two major polypeptides, 72 and 60 kDa, that copurified with the ATPase activity and the 14-18-kDa DCCD-binding peptide are postulated to be subunits of a holoenzyme of 300-600 kDa (estimated by gel filtration). Despite several catalytic similarities with the mitochondrial H+-ATPase, the major polypeptides of the tonoplast ATPase differed in mass from the alpha and beta subunits (58 and 55 kDa) and the [14C] DCCD-binding proteolipid (8 kDa) of the oat F1F0-ATPase.     

Assembly of F1-ATPase in isolated mitochondria

The assembly of the proton-translocating ATPase complex was studied in isolated mitochondria by incubating yeast mitochondria with radiolabeled precursors of mitochondrial proteins which had been made in a cell-free protein synthesis system. Following such an incubation, the ATPase complex (F1F0) was isolated. Newly assembled F1-ATPase was detected by autoradiography of the isolated enzyme, only peptide subunits which had been made in vitro and imported into the isolated mitochondria could be radioactive. Incorporation of radiolabeled ATPase subunits into the enzyme does not occur in the presence of an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation or of a divalent metal chelator, nor does it occur in submitochondrial particles rather than intact mitochondria. Incorporation of labeled ATPase subunits into the enzyme can be completed by unlabeled subunits, provided the unlabeled proteins are added before the mitochondria are incubated with radioactive precursors. These findings suggest that F1-ATPase is assembled from a pool of subunits in mitochondria.     

Characterization of photosystem 1 chlorophyll a/b-binding apoprotein accumulation in developing soybean using type-specific antibodies.

The structure and supramolecular assembly of the soybean photosystem 1 (PS 1) chlorophyll a/b-binding antenna (LHC 1) was examined. We identified the subunit composition of LHC 1 in soybean and followed the accumulation of individual subunits during light-induced assembly. We observed four LHC 1 subunits, at 23, 22, 21 and 20.5 kDa, obtained partial sequence information by amino-terminal sequence analysis, and classified the 20.5, 22, and 21 kDa subunits as being encoded by type I, II, and IV chlorophyll a/b binding protein genes, respectively. Antisera against LHC 1 subunits were used to follow the accumulation of individual subunits during the light-initiated transition from etioplast to chloroplast. Several points are noteworthy. First, monospecific antibody against the 22 kDa subunit decorated a 25 kDa peptide in etiolated tissue, which declined during maturation. This decline correlated with the light-induced appearance of mature 22 kDa peptide, suggesting a precursor/product relationship. Second, the same antibody identified a 22 kDa protein in mature corn, but not a larger band in etiolated corn, suggesting that LHC 1 accumulation is regulated differently between species before the onset of chlorophyll biosynthesis. Third, the mature 22 kDa subunit appeared somewhat later than the other LHC 1 peptides during greening, implying that this subunit is less intimately associated with the PS1 core than are the subunits appearing earlier in development.     

Functional cysteine-less subunits of the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP1 and TAP2) by de novo gene assembly

Within the adaptive immune system the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) plays a pivotal role in loading of peptides onto major histocompatibility (MHC) class I molecules. As a central tool to investigate the structure and function of the TAP complex, we created cysteine-less human TAP subunits by de novo gene synthesis, replacing all 19 cysteines in TAP1 and TAP2. After expression in TAP-deficient human fibroblasts, cysteine-less TAP1 and TAP2 are functional with respect to adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent peptide transport and inhibition by ICP47 from herpes simplex virus. Cysteine-less TAP1 and TAP2 restore maturation and intracellular trafficking of MHC class I molecules to the cell surface.     

Purification and characterization of a calcium-dependent ATPase from Paramecium tetraurelia

We report the purification of a CaATPase of high specific activity from Paramecium tetraurelia. The enzyme is preferentially released into solution upon deciliation of cells by a Ca2+ shock procedure. Purification by ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography yields major peptides of 68 and 53 kDa and a minor peptide of 58 kDa, as determined by electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels. These three peptides yield similar proteolytic peptide maps. Rabbit antisera to the purified enzyme inhibit enzyme activity and specifically label 68- and 53-kDa bands on nitrocellulose blots of the deciliation supernatant from which the enzyme is isolated. Concanavalin A-Sepharose precipitates about 60% of ATPase activity; only the 53-kDa band binds concanavalin A on nitrocellulose blots. The purified enzyme has a specific activity of 620 +/- 70 mumol/min/mg with ATP as substrate in the presence of Ca2+, which is required for enzyme activity. As substrates, ATP and GTP are strongly preferred to UTP and CTP. The Km for ATP in the presence of 3 mM Ca2+ is approximately 20 microM. Enzyme activity is strongly inhibited by the calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine, fluphenazine, W7, and calmidazolium. However, calmodulin is not associated with the purified enzyme, based on the enzyme's inability to bind anti-calmodulin antibodies or to stimulate brain phosphodiesterase. The intracellular origin of this ATPase, its possible function, and its relationship to several other ATPases of Paramecium are discussed.     

Identification of F0 subunits in the rat liver mitochondrial F0F1-ATP synthase.

In order to identify the subunits constituting the rat liver F0F1-ATP synthase, the complex prepared by selective extraction from the mitochondrial membranes with a detergent followed by purification on a sucrose gradient has been compared to that obtained by immunoprecipitation with an anti-F1 serum. The subunits present in both preparations that are assumed to be authentic components of the complex have been identified. The results show that the total rat liver F0F1-ATP synthase contains at least 13 different proteins, seven of which can be attributed to F0. The following F0 subunits have been identified: the subunit b (migrating as a 24 kDa band in SDS-PAGE), the oligomycin-sensitivity-conferring protein (20 kDa), and F6 (9 kDa) that have N-terminal sequences homologous to the beef-heart ones; the mtDNA encoded subunits 6 (20 kDa) and 8 (less than 7 kDa) that can be synthesized in isolated mitochondria; an additional 20 kDa protein that could be equivalent to the beef heart subunit d.     

Second stalk of ATP synthase. Cross-linking of gamma subunit in F1 to truncated Fob subunit prevents ATP hydrolysis

ATP synthase consists of two portions, F(1) and F(o), connected by two stalks: a central rotor stalk containing gamma and epsilon subunits and a peripheral, second stalk formed by delta and two copies of F(o)b subunits. The second stalk is expected to keep the stator subunits from spinning along with the rotor. We isolated a TF(1)-b'(2) complex (alpha(3)beta(3)gammadeltaepsilonb'(2)) of a thermophilic Bacillus PS3, in which b' was a truncated cytoplasmic fragment of F(o)b subunit, and introduced a cysteine at its N terminus (bc'). Association of b'(2) or bc'(2) with TF(1) did not have significant effect on ATPase activity. A disulfide bond between the introduced cysteine of bc' and cysteine 109 of gamma subunit was readily formed, and this cross-link caused inactivation of ATPase. This implies that F(o)b subunit bound to stator subunits of F(1) with enough strength to resist rotation of gamma subunit and to prevent catalysis. Contrary to this apparent tight binding, some detergents such as lauryldodecylamine oxide tend to cause release of b'(2) from TF(1).     

Archaebacterial ATPase: studies on subunit composition and quaternary structure of the F1-analogous ATPase from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

A modified procedure for the purification of soluble ATPase from the thermoacidophilic archaebacterium Sulfolobus acidocaldarius is described. In addition to (alpha) 65 and (beta) 51 kDa polypeptides, further subunits gamma * (20 kDa) and delta * (12 kDa) are demonstrated to be components of the enzyme, exhibiting a total molecular mass of 380 kDa. Molecular electron microscopic images of the native enzyme indicate a quaternary structure probably formed by the gamma *, delta *-complex as a central mass surrounded by a pseudohexagon of the peripherally arranged larger alpha and beta subunits. As can be derived from both molecular mass and electron microscopy data, the archaebacterial Sulfolobus-ATPase emerges to exist as an alpha 3 beta 3-quaternary structure with respect to the larger subunits. This is normally found in typical F1-ATPases of eubacterial and eukaryotic organisms. Therefore it is postulated that F1- and F0F1-ATPases, respectively, can occur ubiquitously in all urkingdoms of organisms as functional units of energy-transducing membranes.     

The number and localisation of adenine nucleotide-binding sites in beef-heart mitochondrial ATPase (F1) determined by photolabelling with 8-azido-ATP and 8-azido-ADP

1. When irradiated 8-azido-ATP becomes covalently bound (as the nitreno compound) to beef-heart mitochondrial ATPase (F1) as the triphosphate, either in the absence or presence of Mg2+, label covalently bound is not hydrolysed. 2. In the presence of Mg2+ the nitreno-ATP is bound to both the alpha and beta subunits, mainly (63%) to the alpha subunits. 3. After successive photolabelling of F1 with 8-azido-ATP (no Mg2+) and 8-azido-ADP (with Mg2+) 4 mol label is bound to F1, 2 mol to the alpha and 2 mol to the beta subunits. 4. When the order of photolabelling is reversed, much less 8-nitreno-ATP is bound to F1 previously labelled with 8-nitreno-ADP. It is concluded that binding to the alpha-subunits hinders binding to the beta subunits. 5. F1 that has been photolabelled with up to 4 mol label still contains 2 mol firmly bound adenine nucleotides per mol F1. 6. It is concluded that at least 6 sites for adenine nucleotides are present in isolated F1.