Domain architecture of the stator complex of the A1A0-ATP synthase from Thermoplasma acidophilum

The Peripheral Stalk of Rotary ATPases

Rotary ATPases are a family of enzymes that are thought of as molecular nanomotors and are classified in three types: F, A, and V-type ATPases. Two members (F and A-type) can synthesize and hydrolyze ATP, depending on the energetic needs of the cell, while the V-type enzyme exhibits only a hydrolytic activity. The overall architecture of all these enzymes is conserved and three main sectors are distinguished: a catalytic core, a rotor and a stator or peripheral stalk. The peripheral stalks of the A and V-types are highly conserved in both structure and function, however, the F-type peripheral stalks have divergent structures. Furthermore, the peripheral stalk has other roles beyond its stator function, as evidenced by several biochemical and recent structural studies. This review describes the information regarding the organization of the peripheral stalk components of F, A, and V-ATPases, highlighting the key differences between the studied enzymes, as well as the different processes in which the structure is involved.

Individual interactions of the b subunits within the stator of the Escherichia coli ATP synthase

FOF1 ATP synthases are rotary nanomotors that couple proton translocation across biological membranes to the synthesis/hydrolysis of ATP. During catalysis, the peripheral stalk, composed of two b subunits and subunit δ in Escherichia coli, counteracts the torque generated by the rotation of the central stalk. Here we characterize individual interactions of the b subunits within the stator by use of monoclonal antibodies and nearest neighbor analyses via intersubunit disulfide bond formation. Antibody binding studies revealed that the C-terminal region of one of the two b subunits is principally involved in the binding of subunit δ, whereas the other one is accessible to antibody binding without impact on the function of FOF1. Individually substituted cysteine pairs suitable for disulfide cross-linking between the b subunits and the other stator subunits (b-α, b-β, b-δ, and b-a) were screened and combined with each other to discriminate between the two b subunits (i.e. bI and bII). The results show the b dimer to be located at a non-catalytic α/β cleft, with bI close to subunit α, whereas bII is proximal to subunit β. Furthermore, bI can be linked to subunit δ as well as to subunit a. Among the subcomplexes formed were a-bI-α, bII-β, α-bI-bII-β, and a-bI-δ. Taken together, the data obtained define the different positions of the two b subunits at a non-catalytic interface and imply that each b subunit has a different role in generating stability within the stator. We suggest that bI is functionally related to the single b subunit present in mitochondrial ATP synthase.

Biochemical and biophysical properties of interactions between subunits of the peripheral stalk region of human V-ATPase

Peripheral stalk subunits of eukaryotic or mammalian vacuolar ATPases (V-ATPases) play key roles in regulating its assembly and disassembly. In a previous study, we purified several subunits and their isoforms of the peripheral stalk region of Homo sapiens (human) V-ATPase; such as C1, E1G1, H, and the N-terminal cytoplasmic region of V(o), a1. Here, we investigated the in vitro binding interactions of the subunits at the stalk region and measured their specific affinities. Surface plasmon resonance experiments revealed that the subunit C1 binds the E1G1 heterodimer with both high and low affinities (2.8 nM and 1.9 µM, respectively). In addition, an E1G1-H complex can be formed with high affinity (48 nM), whereas affinities of other subunit pairs appeared to be low (∼0.21-3.0 µM). The putative ternary complex of C1-H-E1G1 was not much strong on co-incubation of these subunits, indicating that the two strong complexes of C1-E1G1 and H-E1G1 in cooperation with many other weak interactions may be sufficiently strong enough to withstand the torque of rotation during catalysis. We observed a partially stable quaternary complex (consisting of E1G1, C1, a1(NT), and H subunits) resulting from discrete peripheral subunit interactions stabilizing the complex through their intrinsic affinities. No binding was observed in the absence of E1G1 (using only H, C1, and a1(NT)); therefore, it is likely that, in vivo, the E1G1 heterodimer has a significant role in the initiation of subunit assembly. Multiple interactions of variable affinity in the stalk region may be important to the mechanism of reversible dissociation of the intact V-ATPase.

Probing subunit-subunit interactions in the yeast vacuolar ATPase by peptide arrays

BACKGROUND

Vacuolar (H(+))-ATPase (V-ATPase; V(1)V(o)-ATPase) is a large multisubunit enzyme complex found in the endomembrane system of all eukaryotic cells where its proton pumping action serves to acidify subcellular organelles. In the plasma membrane of certain specialized tissues, V-ATPase functions to pump protons from the cytoplasm into the extracellular space. The activity of the V-ATPase is regulated by a reversible dissociation mechanism that involves breaking and re-forming of protein-protein interactions in the V(1)-ATPase - V(o)-proton channel interface. The mechanism responsible for regulated V-ATPase dissociation is poorly understood, largely due to a lack of detailed knowledge of the molecular interactions that are responsible for the structural and functional link between the soluble ATPase and membrane bound proton channel domains.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

To gain insight into where some of the stator subunits of the V-ATPase associate with each other, we have developed peptide arrays from the primary sequences of V-ATPase subunits. By probing the peptide arrays with individually expressed V-ATPase subunits, we have identified several key interactions involving stator subunits E, G, C, H and the N-terminal domain of the membrane bound a subunit.

CONCLUSIONS

The subunit-peptide interactions identified from the peptide arrays complement low resolution structural models of the eukaryotic vacuolar ATPase obtained from transmission electron microscopy. The subunit-subunit interaction data are discussed in context of our current model of reversible enzyme dissociation.

The dynamic stator stalk of rotary ATPases

Rotary ATPases couple ATP hydrolysis/synthesis with proton translocation across biological membranes and so are central components of the biological energy conversion machinery. Their peripheral stalks are essential components that counteract torque generated by rotation of the central stalk during ATP synthesis or hydrolysis. Here we present a 2.25-Å resolution crystal structure of the peripheral stalk from Thermus thermophilus A-type ATPase/synthase. We identify bending and twisting motions inherent within the structure that accommodate and complement a radial wobbling of the ATPase headgroup as it progresses through its catalytic cycles, while still retaining azimuthal stiffness necessary to counteract rotation of the central stalk. The conformational freedom of the peripheral stalk is dictated by its unusual right-handed coiled-coil architecture, which is in principle conserved across all rotary ATPases. In context of the intact enzyme, the dynamics of the peripheral stalks provides a potential mechanism for cooperativity between distant parts of rotary ATPases.

The peripheral stalks of rotary ATPases counteract torque generated by rotation of the central stalk during ATP synthesis or hydrolysis. Stewart et al. report the crystal structure of an A-type ATPase/synthase peripheral stalk and identify bending and twisting motions that permit the radial wobbling of the headgroup.

Structural divergence of the rotary ATPases

The rotary ATPase family of membrane protein complexes may have only three members, but each one plays a fundamental role in biological energy conversion. The F1Fo-ATPase (F-ATPase) couples ATP synthesis to the electrochemical membrane potential in bacteria, mitochondria and chloroplasts, while the vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) operates as an ATP-driven proton pump in eukaryotic membranes. In different species of archaea and bacteria, the A1Ao-ATPase (A-ATPase) can function as either an ATP synthase or an ion pump. All three of these multi-subunit complexes are rotary molecular motors, sharing a fundamentally similar mechanism in which rotational movement drives the energy conversion process. By analogy to macroscopic systems, individual subunits can be assigned to rotor, axle or stator functions. Recently, three-dimensional reconstructions from electron microscopy and single particle image processing have led to a significant step forward in understanding of the overall architecture of all three forms of these complexes and have allowed the organisation of subunits within the rotor and stator parts of the motors to be more clearly mapped out. This review describes the emerging consensus regarding the organisation of the rotor and stator components of V-, A- and F-ATPases, examining core similarities that point to a common evolutionary origin, and highlighting key differences. In particular, it discusses how newly revealed variation in the complexity of the inter-domain connections may impact on the mechanics and regulation of these molecular machines.

Domain characterization and interaction of the yeast vacuolar ATPase subunit C with the peripheral stator stalk subunits E and G

The proton pumping activity of the eukaryotic vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase) is regulated by a unique mechanism that involves reversible enzyme dissociation. In yeast, under conditions of nutrient depletion, the soluble catalytic V(1) sector disengages from the membrane integral V(o), and at the same time, both functional units are silenced. Notably, during enzyme dissociation, a single V(1) subunit, C, is released into the cytosol. The affinities of the other V(1) and V(o) subunits for subunit C are therefore of particular interest. The C subunit crystal structure shows that the subunit is elongated and dumbbell-shaped with two globular domains (C(head) and C(foot)) separated by a flexible helical neck region (Drory, O., Frolow, F., and Nelson, N. (2004) EMBO Rep. 5, 1148-1152). We have recently shown that subunit C is bound in the V(1)-V(o) interface where the subunit is in contact with two of the three peripheral stators (subunit EG heterodimers): one via C(head) and one via C(foot) (Zhang, Z., Zheng, Y., Mazon, H., Milgrom, E., Kitagawa, N., Kish-Trier, E., Heck, A. J., Kane, P. M., and Wilkens, S. (2008) J. Biol. Chem. 283, 35983-35995). In vitro, however, subunit C binds only one EG heterodimer (Féthière, J., Venzke, D., Madden, D. R., and Böttcher, B. (2005) Biochemistry 44, 15906-15914), implying that EG has different affinities for the two domains of the C subunit. To determine which subunit C domain binds EG with high affinity, we have generated C(head) and C(foot) and characterized their interaction with subunit EG heterodimer. Our findings indicate that the high affinity site for EGC interaction is C(head). In addition, we provide evidence that the EGC(head) interaction greatly stabilizes EG heterodimer.

The structure of the peripheral stalk of Thermus thermophilus H+-ATPase/synthase

Proton-translocating ATPases are ubiquitous protein complexes that couple ATP catalysis with proton translocation via a rotary catalytic mechanism. The peripheral stalks are essential components that counteract torque generated from proton translocation during ATP synthesis or from ATP hydrolysis during proton pumping. Despite their essential role, the peripheral stalks are the least conserved component of the complexes, differing substantially between subtypes in composition and stoichiometry. We have determined the crystal structure of the peripheral stalk of the A-type ATPase/synthase from Thermus thermophilus consisting of subunits E and G. The structure contains a heterodimeric right-handed coiled coil, a protein fold never observed before. We have fitted this structure into the 23 A resolution EM density of the intact A-ATPase complex, revealing the precise location of the peripheral stalk and new implications for the function and assembly of proton-translocating ATPases.

Interaction of the Thermoplasma acidophilum A1A0-ATP synthase peripheral stalk with the catalytic domain

The peripheral stalk of the archaeal ATP synthase (A1A0)-ATP synthase is formed by the heterodimeric EH complex and is part of the stator domain, which counteracts the torque of rotational catalysis. Here we used nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to probe the interaction of the C-terminal domain of the EH heterodimer (E(CT1)H(CT)) with the N-terminal 23 residues of the B subunit (B(NT)). The data show a specific interaction of B(NT) peptide with 26 residues of the E(CT1)H(CT) domain, thereby providing a molecular picture of how the peripheral stalk is anchored to the A3B3 catalytic domain in A1A0.