Molecular Rotary Motors

ATP is the energy currency of the cell: hydrolysis of ATP into ADP and inorganic phosphate (P) releases energy. The enzyme responsible for generating this energy currency is the ATP synthase. In a Perspective, [Fillingame][1] discusses two new reports ([ Sambongi et al. ][2] and [ Stock et al. ][3]) that present an elegant structural model of how ATP synthase works: it behaves like a tiny molecular rotary motor, coupling the mechanical force of an electrochemical proton gradient to the formation of the chemical bond between ADP and P. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/286/5445/1687 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/286/5445/1722 [3]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/286/5445/1700

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