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ATP SYNTHASE, which makes the all-important ATP, has been called the "molecular engine of life" as well as paradoxically being "an efficient death machine." This molecule ranks along with DNA, chlorophyll, and a number of other molecules, as one the heavyweight champions of life on planet earth. https://lnkd.in/eNs9_jp View in LinkedIn

TWO MOTORS AND A ROTOR. "One motor generates rotation by consuming energy derived from oxidative metabolism or photosynthesis; the other uses energy transmitted by the rotor to put ATP molecules together from their building blocks, ADP and phosphate." https://lnkd.in/eahb8Gv View in LinkedIn

TWO MOTORS AND A ROTOR. "ATP, the fuel of life, is produced in living cells by a complex molecular machine consisting of two motors linked by a rotor." https://lnkd.in/eahb8Gv View in LinkedIn

CARTOON OF ATP SYNTHASE FUNCTIONALITY. This animation cleverly depicts what entire articles are hard pressed to express, namely, the finely-tuned and intricate function of the proton gradient in the enzyme, and how precisely the entire process operates while spinning at 9,000 RPM. https://lnkd.in/efhjzCY View in LinkedIn

THE ONLY UNIVERSAL NANOMOTOR. "Biological motors are molecular machines found in living systems. Among all known biological nanomotors, ATP synthase stands alone for being the universal nanomotor found in all living systems from bacteria to man." https://lnkd.in/eTYm4q6 View in LinkedIn

HUMMING ATP SYNTHASE MACHINE. "3 to 4 protons moving through this machine is enough to convert a molecule of ADP and Pi (inorganic phosphate) into a molecule of ATP. One ATP synthase complex can generate >100 molecules of ATP each second." https://lnkd.in/e5CY-iH View in LinkedIn

"ATP SYNTHASE is a huge molecular complex (>500,000 daltons) embedded in the inner membrane of mitochondria. Its function is to convert the energy of protons (H+) moving down their concentration gradient into the synthesis of ATP." https://lnkd.in/e5CY-iH View in LinkedIn

GENETIC ASSEMBLY of ATP synthase is a complex process. Mitochondria are semi-autonomous organelles of bacterial lineage, and making ATP synthase involves genes from the host nucleus as well as from the mitochondria to construct the final multi-unit enzyme, and along the way, dissembling a separate large enzymatic controlling complex. https://lnkd.in/enq72FS View in LinkedIn

"Either up to 26 independent origins or 17 horizontal gene transfer events" for the evolution of ATP synthase in different life forms. A lovely genetic analysis. https://lnkd.in/eccU8S3 View in LinkedIn

ANCIENT BACTERIA SHARE ATP SYNTHASE with other life forms. "Most bioenergetic pathways have a similar general structure, with an electron transport chain composed of protein complexes acting as electron donors and acceptors, as well as a central cytochrome complex, mobile electron carriers, and an ATP synthase." https://lnkd.in/eccU8S3 View in LinkedIn