Structure, mechanism, and regulation of the chloroplast ATP synthase

Protons find a path Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthases are dynamos that interconvert rotational and chemical energy. Capturing the complete structure of these multisubunit membrane-bound complexes has been hindered by their inherent ability to adopt multiple conformations. Srivastava et al. used protein engineering to freeze mitochondrial ATP synthase from yeast in a single conformation and obtained a structure with the inhibitor oligomycin, which binds to the rotating c-ring within the membrane. Hahn et al. show that chloroplast ATP synthase contains a built-in inhibitor triggered by oxidizing conditions in the dark chloroplast. The mechanisms by which these machines are powered are remarkably similar: Protons are shuttled through a channel to the membrane-embedded c-ring, where they drive nearly a full rotation of the rotor before exiting through another channel on the opposite side of the membrane (see the Perspective by Kane). Science , this issue p. eaas9699 , p. eaat4318 ; see also p. 600