ATP synthase: amazing molecular machine in the energy dynamics of living beings

Abstract

The ATP synthase enzyme complex is a molecular machine in cells that performs the important function of producing ATP, a vital energy molecule. With a diameter of 10 nanometers, it is specifically found in organelles such as mitochondria. It represents the second level of structural organization in living beings: molecular machinery. Its design includes 29 protein subunits (He et al., 2018), including a rotary motor embedded in the cell membrane (gray band) that rotates at 6000 rpm. Image reproduced with permission from RCSB-PDB, December 2005, Molecule of the Month, prepared by David Goodsell (doi: 110.2210/rcsb_pdb/mom_2005_12. 3D animation available at http://biovisions.mcb.harvard.edu/anim_mitochondria.html