Elastic coupling power stroke mechanism of the F-ATPase molecular motor.

The angular velocity profile of the 120° F-ATPase power stroke was resolved as a function of temperature from 16.3 to 44.6 °C using a Δμ = -31.25 at a time resolution of 10 μs. Angular velocities during the first 60° of the power stroke (phase 1) varied inversely with temperature, resulting in negative activation energies with a parabolic dependence. This is direct evidence that phase 1 rotation derives from elastic energy (spring constant, κ = 50 ·rad). Phase 2 of the power stroke had an enthalpic component indicating that additional energy input occurred to enable the γ-subunit to overcome energy stored by the spring after rotating beyond its 34° equilibrium position. The correlation between the probability distribution of ATP binding to the empty catalytic site and the negative values of the power stroke during phase 1 suggests that this additional energy is derived from the binding of ATP to the empty catalytic site. A second torsion spring (κ = 150 ·rad; equilibrium position, 90°) was also evident that mitigated the enthalpic cost of phase 2 rotation. The maximum Δ was 22.6 , and maximum efficiency was 72%. An elastic coupling mechanism is proposed that uses the coiled-coil domain of the γ-subunit rotor as a torsion spring during phase 1, and then as a crankshaft driven by ATP-binding-dependent conformational changes during phase 2 to drive the power stroke.