ATP synthase: a moonlighting enzyme with unprecedented functions

Chem Commun (Camb). 2022 Feb 22;58(16):2650-2653. doi: 10.1039/d1cc06793a.

Abstract

ATP synthase's intrinsic molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) adds constructively to, and hence reinforces, the chemiosmotic voltage. This ATP synthase voltage represents a new free energy term that appears to have been overlooked. This term is at least roughly equal in order of magnitude and opposite in sign to the energy needed to be dissipated as a Maxwell's demon (Landauer principle).

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / analysis
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Static Electricity
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases