The biogenesis of rat mitochondrial ATPase. Two subunits are synthesized inside the mitochondria.

Isolated mitochondria from regenerating rat liver synthesize at least five different polypeptides with molecular weights ranging from 19 000 to 43 000. Among these, two polypeptides with molecular weights of 22 000 and 25 ooo could be identified as ATPase subunits. It has previously been shown that these subunits, designated 6 and 7, are lacking in the ATPase complex that is formed in vivo when mitochondrial protein synthesis is blocked by thiamphenicol treatment. The 22 000 Mr protein is enriched in the fraction containing the fully assembled ATPase complex, whereas the 25 000 Mr protein is not.