In mitochondria, ATP Synthase is a complex of proteins essential for ATP production. One of the component, F1 ATPase head, is directly involved in converting ADP into ATP. Why is this protein named as an ATPase that appears to be contradictory to its role in ATP synthesis?
ATP, a major currency of energy, is synthesized by ATP synthase. ATP synthase is composed of a membrane-embedded, proton-conducting portion, F0, and a protruding portion, F1 . When protons flow through F0, ATP is synthesized in F1. The synthase is fully reversible in that hydrolysis of ATP in F1 drives reverse flow of protons through F0. Isolated F1 catalyzes only hydrolysis of ATP, and hence is called the F1-ATPase.
F-ATPases usually work as ATP synthases instead of ATPases in cellular environments. That is to say, it usually makes ATP from the proton gradient instead of working in the other direction like V-ATPases typically do.
Image from : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-ATPase
Please refer to the following for more information and details:
https://www.cell.com/fulltext/S0092-8674(00)81142-3
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