A manuscript has been submitted for publication to a prestigious scientific jour

Question

A manuscript has been submitted for publication to a
prestigious scientific journal. In the paper the authors
describe an experiment in which they have succeeded in
trapping an individual ATP synthase molecule and then
mechanically rotating its head by applying a force to it.
The authors show that upon rotating the head of the
ATP synthase, ATP is produced, in the absence of an H+
gradient. What might this mean about the mechanism
whereby ATP synthase functions? Should this manuscript be
considered for publication in one of the best journals?

Explanation / Answer

The ATP synthesis by the ATP synthase depends on the rotation of the Fo region of the ATP synthase. When the protons passes through the membrane, the Fo region of ATP synthase rotates causing the attachment of C-ring to the central stalk of gamma subunit. Later this causes the rotation of alpha3 beta3 units of F1 leading to the synthesis of ATP by conformational changes in the binding sites of catalytic nucleotides. Hence, by rotating the head of the ATP synthase, ATP can be produced in the absence of an H+ gradient as showed by the authors. Yes, this manuscript can be considered for publication in one of the best journals.

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