Rotation of the g subunit in ATP synthase subcomplex F1

In 1997, our group succeeded to observe the rotation of the g subunit directly under the fluoresence microscope (http://www.res.titech.ac.jp/seibutu/nature/f1rotate.html). The direction of the rotation of the g subunit during the ATP hydrolysis was couterclockwise as shown in the figure. During the ATP synthasis, whole reactions on the enzyme including proton flow should be opposite. Then, is the direction of the rotation oppsoite ?

Following the experiment in 1997, we observed the rotation of the g subunit in E. coli F1-ATPase (1999). And finally, we succeeded to observe the rotation of the g subunit of spinach chloroplast ATP synthase in 1999. You can enjoy the real time movie of this observation. This is the first observation of the rotational apparatus in the eukaryotic cell in the world.

Fig 2 of our recent paper (FEBS Lett. (1999) 463, 35-38)

Fig 3E of our recent paper (FEBS Lett. (1999) 463, 35-38)

Errartum of our paper:
FEBS Lett. (1999) 463, 35-38
p35 right column, line 11; 'g subunits' should be changed to 'b subunits'.
p37 legend to Fig. 3. line 3 from bottom; (G) should be changed to (F).

In 2001, we suceeded to regulate rotation of the g subunit using the redox-sensitive regulatory region derived from the chloroplast ATPase. This finidng gave us the new insight into the regulation mechanism of the redox enzyme.
Please refer our latest papers.
Ueoka-Nakanishi, H., Nakanishi, Y., Konno, H., Motohashi, K., Bald, D., Hisabori, T. (2004)
Inverse regulation of rotation of F1-ATPase by the Mutation at the Regulatory Region on the gamma Subunit of Chloroplast ATP Synthase
J. Biol. Chem. 279, in press

Bald D, Noji H, Yoshida M, Hirono-Hara Y, Hisabori T. (2001)
Redox regulation of the rotation of F1-ATP synthase.
J. Biol. Chem. 276, 39505-39507



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