On the activation mechanism of the H(+)-ATP synthase and unusual thermodynamic properties in the alkalophilic cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis

ADP-Inhibition of H+-FOF1-ATP Synthase

H+-F_OF₁-ATP synthase (F-ATPase, F-type ATPase, F_OF₁ complex) catalyzes ATP synthesis from ADP and inorganic phosphate in eubacteria, mitochondria, chloroplasts, and some archaea. ATP synthesis is powered by the transmembrane proton transport driven by the proton motive force (PMF) generated by the respiratory or photosynthetic electron transport chains. When the PMF is decreased or absent, ATP synthase catalyzes the reverse reaction, working as an ATP-dependent proton pump. The ATPase activity of the enzyme is regulated by several mechanisms, of which the most conserved is the non-competitive inhibition by the MgADP complex (ADP-inhibition). When ADP binds to the catalytic site without phosphate, the enzyme may undergo conformational changes that lock bound ADP, resulting in enzyme inactivation. PMF can induce release of inhibitory ADP and reactivate ATP synthase; the threshold PMF value required for enzyme reactivation might exceed the PMF for ATP synthesis. Moreover, membrane energization increases the catalytic site affinity to phosphate, thereby reducing the probability of ADP binding without phosphate and preventing enzyme transition to the ADP-inhibited state. Besides phosphate, oxyanions (e.g., sulfite and bicarbonate), alcohols, lauryldimethylamine oxide, and a number of other detergents can weaken ADP-inhibition and increase ATPase activity of the enzyme. In this paper, we review the data on ADP-inhibition of ATP synthases from different organisms and discuss the in vivo role of this phenomenon and its relationship with other regulatory mechanisms, such as ATPase activity inhibition by subunit ε and nucleotide binding in the noncatalytic sites of the enzyme. It should be noted that in Escherichia coli enzyme, ADP-inhibition is relatively weak and rather enhanced than prevented by phosphate.

A Specific Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the ATP Synthase Gene Significantly Improves Environmental Stress Tolerance of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942

In response to a broad range of habitats and environmental stresses, cyanobacteria have evolved various effective acclimation strategies, which will be helpful for improving the stress tolerances of photosynthetic organisms, including higher plants. Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 and PCC 7942 possess genomes that are 99.8% identical but exhibit significant differences in cell growth and stress tolerance. In this study, we found that a single amino acid substitution at F_oF₁ ATP synthase subunit α (AtpA), C252Y, is the primary contributor to the improved stress tolerance of S. elongatus UTEX 2973. Site-saturation mutagenesis experiments showed that point mutations of cysteine 252 to any of the four conjugated amino acids could significantly improve the stress tolerance of S. elongatus PCC 7942. We further confirmed that the C252Y mutation increases AtpA protein levels, intracellular ATP synthase activity, intracellular ATP abundance, transcription of psbA genes (especially psbA2), photosystem II activity, and glycogen accumulation in S. elongatus PCC 7942. This work highlights the importance of AtpA in improving the stress tolerance of cyanobacteria and provides insight into how cyanobacteria evolve via point mutations in the face of environmental selection pressures.IMPORTANCE Two closely related Synechococcus strains showed significantly different tolerances to high light and high temperature but limited genomic differences, providing us opportunities to identify key genes responsible for stress acclimation by a gene complementation approach. In this study, we confirmed that a single point mutation in the α subunit of F_oF₁ ATP synthase (AtpA) contributes mainly to the improved stress tolerance of Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973. The point mutation of AtpA, the important ATP-generating complex of photosynthesis, increases AtpA protein levels, intracellular ATP synthase activity, and ATP concentrations under heat stress, as well as photosystem II activity. This work proves the importance of ATP synthase in cyanobacterial stress acclimation and provides a good target for future improvement of cyanobacterial stress tolerance by metabolic engineering.

F1F0-ATP synthases of alkaliphilic bacteria: lessons from their adaptations

This review focuses on the ATP synthases of alkaliphilic bacteria and, in particular, those that successfully overcome the bioenergetic challenges of achieving robust H+-coupled ATP synthesis at external pH values>10. At such pH values the protonmotive force, which is posited to provide the energetic driving force for ATP synthesis, is too low to account for the ATP synthesis observed. The protonmotive force is lowered at a very high pH by the need to maintain a cytoplasmic pH well below the pH outside, which results in an energetically adverse pH gradient. Several anticipated solutions to this bioenergetic conundrum have been ruled out. Although the transmembrane sodium motive force is high under alkaline conditions, respiratory alkaliphilic bacteria do not use Na+- instead of H+-coupled ATP synthases. Nor do they offset the adverse pH gradient with a compensatory increase in the transmembrane electrical potential component of the protonmotive force. Moreover, studies of ATP synthase rotors indicate that alkaliphiles cannot fully resolve the energetic problem by using an ATP synthase with a large number of c-subunits in the synthase rotor ring. Increased attention now focuses on delocalized gradients near the membrane surface and H+ transfers to ATP synthases via membrane-associated microcircuits between the H+ pumping complexes and synthases. Microcircuits likely depend upon proximity of pumps and synthases, specific membrane properties and specific adaptations of the participating enzyme complexes. ATP synthesis in alkaliphiles depends upon alkaliphile-specific adaptations of the ATP synthase and there is also evidence for alkaliphile-specific adaptations of respiratory chain components.

Remarkable stability of the proton translocating F1FO-ATP synthase from the thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1

For functional characterization, we isolated the F1FO-ATP synthase of the thermophilic cyanobacterium Thermosynechococcus elongatus. Because of the high content of phycobilisomes, a combination of dye-ligand chromatography and anion exchange chromatography was necessary to yield highly pure ATP synthase. All nine single F1FO subunits were identified by mass spectrometry. Western blotting revealed the SDS stable oligomer of subunits c in T. elongatus. In contrast to the mass archived in the database (10,141 Da), MALDI-TOF-MS revealed a mass of the subunit c monomer of only 8238 Da. A notable feature of the ATP synthase was its ability to synthesize ATP in a wide temperature range and its stability against chaotropic reagents. After reconstitution of F1FO into liposomes, ATP synthesis energized by an applied electrochemical proton gradient demonstrated functional integrity. The highest ATP synthesis rate was determined at the natural growth temperature of 55 degrees C, but even at 95 degrees C ATP production occurred. In contrast to other prokaryotic and eukaryotic ATP synthases which can be disassembled with Coomassie dye into the membrane integral and the hydrophilic part, the F1FO-ATP synthase possessed a particular stability. Also with the chaotropic reagents sodium bromide and guanidine thiocyanate, significantly harsher conditions were required for disassembly of the thermophilic ATP synthase.

A tridecameric c ring of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase from the thermoalkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain TA2.A1 facilitates ATP synthesis at low electrochemical proton potential

Despite the thermodynamic problem imposed on alkaliphilic bacteria of synthesizing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) against a large inverted pH gradient and consequently a low electrochemical proton potential, these bacteria still utilize a proton-coupled F(1)F(o)-ATP synthase to synthesize ATP. One potential solution to this apparent thermodynamic problem would be the operation of a larger oligomeric c ring, which would raise the ion to ATP ratio, thus facilitating the conversion of a low electrochemical potential into a significant phosphorylation potential. To address this hypothesis, we have purified the oligomeric c ring from the thermoalkaliphilic bacterium Bacillus sp. strain TA2.A1 and determined the number of c-subunits using a novel mass spectrometry method, termed 'laser-induced liquid bead ion desorption' (LILBID). This technique allows the mass determination of non-covalently assembled, detergent-solubilized membrane protein complexes, and hence enables an accurate determination of c ring stoichiometries. We show that the Bacillus sp. strain TA2.A1 ATP synthase harbours a tridecameric c ring. The operation of a c ring with 13 subunits renders the thermodynamic problem of ATP synthesis at alkaline pH less severe and may represent a strategy for ATP synthesis at low electrochemical potential.

The oligomeric state of c rings from cyanobacterial F-ATP synthases varies from 13 to 15

We isolated the c rings of F-ATP synthases from eight cyanobacterial strains belonging to four different taxonomic classes (Chroococcales, Nostocales, Oscillatoriales, and Gloeobacteria). These c rings showed different mobilities on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), probably reflecting their molecular masses. This supposition was validated with the previously characterized c(11), c(14), and c(15) rings, which migrated on SDS-PAGE in proportion to their molecular masses. Hence, the masses of the cyanobacterial c rings can conveniently be deduced from their electrophoretic mobilities and, together with the masses of the c monomers, allow the calculation of the c ring stoichiometries. The method is a simple and fast way to determine stoichiometries of SDS-stable c rings and hence a convenient means to unambiguously determine the ion-to-ATP ratio, a parameter reflecting the bioenergetic efficacy of F-ATP synthases. AFM imaging was used to prove the accuracy of the method and confirmed that the c ring of Synechococcus elongatus SAG 89.79 is a tridecameric oligomer. Despite the high conservation of the c-subunit sequences from cyanobacterial strains from various environmental groups, the stoichiometries of their c rings varied between c(13) and c(15). This systematic study of the c-ring stoichiometries suggests that variability of c-ring sizes might represent an adaptation of the individual cyanobacterial species to their particular environmental and physiological conditions. Furthermore, the two new examples of c(15) rings underline once more that an F(1)/F(o) symmetry mismatch is not an obligatory feature of all F-ATP synthases.

The c15 ring of the Spirulina platensis F-ATP synthase: F1/F0 symmetry mismatch is not obligatory

The oligomeric c ring of the F-ATP synthase from the alkaliphilic cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis was isolated and characterized. Mass spectroscopy analysis indicated a mass of 8,210 Da, reflecting that of a c monomer. The mass increased by 206 Da after treatment with the c-subunit-specific inhibitor dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), which indicated modification of the ion-binding carboxylate by DCCD. Atomic force microscopy topographs of c rings from S. platensis showed 15 symmetrically assembled subunits. The c15-mer reported here is the largest c ring that is isolated and does not show the classical c-ring mismatch to the three-fold symmetry of the F1 domain.

Introduction of a carboxyl group in the loop of the F0 c-subunit affects the H+/ATP coupling ratio of the ATP synthase from Synechocystis 6803

The proton translocation stoichiometry (H+/ATP ratio) was investigated in membrane vesicles from a Synechocystis 6803 mutant in which the serine at position 37 in the hydrophilic loop of the c-subunit from the wild type was replaced by a negatively charged glutamic acid residue (strain plc37). At this position the c-subunit of chloroplasts and the cyanobacterium Synechococcus 6716 already contains glutamic acid. H+/ATP ratios were determined with active ATP synthase in thermodynamic equilibrium between phosphate potential (deltaGp) and the proton gradient (deltamuH+) induced by acid-base transition. The mutant displayed a significantly higher H+/ATP ratio than the control strain (wild type with kanamycin resistance) at pH 8 (4.3 vs. 3.3); the higher ratio also being observed in chloroplasts and Synechococcus 6716. Furthermore, the pH dependence of the H+/ATP of strain plc37 resembles that of Synechococcus 6716. When the pH was increased from 7.6 to 8.4, the H+/ATP of the mutant increased from 4.2 to 4.6 whereas in the control strain the ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.8. Differences in H+/ATP between the mutant and the control strain were confirmed by measuring the light-induced phosphorylation efficiency (P/2e), which changed as expected, i.e., the P/2e ratio in the mutant was significantly less than that in the wild type. The need for more H+ ions used per ATP in the mutant was also reflected by the significantly lower growth rate of the mutant strain. The results are discussed against the background of the present structural and functional models of proton translocation coupled to catalytic activity of the ATP synthase.

Sulfite and membrane energization induce two different active states of the Paracoccus denitrificans F0F1-ATPase

Activation of the latent ATPase activity of inside-out vesicles from plasma membranes of Paracoccus denitrificans was studied. Several factors were found to induce activation: heat, membrane energization by succinate oxidation, methanol, oxyanions (sulfite, phosphate, arsenate, bicarbonate) and limited proteolysis with trypsin. Among the oxyanions, sulfite induced the higher increase in ATPase activity. Sulfite functioned as a nonessential activator that slightly modified the affinity for ATP and increased notoriously the Vmax. There was a competitive effect between sulfite, bicarbonate and phosphate for ATPase activation; their similar chemical geometry suggests that these oxyanions have a common binding site on the enzyme. Dithiothreitol did not affect the ATPase activity. ATPase activation by sulfite was decreased by uncoupler, enhanced by trypsin and inhibited by ADP, oligomycin and venturicidin. In contrast, activation induced by succinate was less sensitive to ADP, oligomycin, venturicidin and trypsin. It is proposed that the active states induced by sulfite and succinate reflect two conformations of the enzyme, in which the inhibitory subunit epsilon is differently exposed to trypsin.

Alkaliphiles: some applications of their products for biotechnology

The term "alkaliphile" is used for microorganisms that grow optimally or very well at pH values above 9 but cannot grow or grow only slowly at the near-neutral pH value of 6.5. Alkaliphiles include prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and archaea. Many different taxa are represented among the alkaliphiles, and some of these have been proposed as new taxa. Alkaliphiles can be isolated from normal environments such as garden soil, although viable counts of alkaliphiles are higher in samples from alkaline environments. The cell surface may play a key role in keeping the intracellular pH value in the range between 7 and 8.5, allowing alkaliphiles to thrive in alkaline environments, although adaptation mechanisms have not yet been clarified. Alkaliphiles have made a great impact in industrial applications. Biological detergents contain alkaline enzymes, such as alkaline cellulases and/or alkaline proteases, that have been produced from alkaliphiles. The current proportion of total world enzyme production destined for the laundry detergent market exceeds 60%. Another important application is the industrial production of cyclodextrin by alkaline cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase. This enzyme has reduced the production cost and paved the way for cyclodextrin use in large quantities in foodstuffs, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. It has also been reported that alkali-treated wood pulp could be biologically bleached by xylanases produced by alkaliphiles. Other applications of various aspects of alkaliphiles are also discussed.

The ATP synthase gamma subunit provides the primary site of activation of the chloroplast enzyme: experiments with a chloroplast-like Synechocystis 6803 mutant

The activation characteristics of the F1Fo-ATP synthase (where F1 and Fo are the hydrophilic and membrane-bound parts respectively of the enzyme) from Synechocystis 6803 wild-type and a Synechocystis 6803 mutant with a chloroplast-like insertion in the gamma subunit have been studied. Activation of the ATP synthase in wild-type and mutant membrane vesicles was performed by acid-base transition-induced generation of a proton motive force (Delta mu H+). Since the mutant containing the regulatory segment of the chloroplast gamma subunit showed thiol-modulation (typical of the chloroplast enzyme), this segment is indeed involved in the regulation of enzyme activation. It is shown that the ATP synthase from Synechocystis 6803 wild type corresponds functionally to the reduced form of the chloroplast ATP synthase, in view of the low Delta mu H+ required for activation of the enzyme and the high stability of the active state. Both the cyanobacterial wild-type and mutant ATP synthases can be activated by methanol, which apparently does not require the presence of the gamma subunit regulatory segment.

Turnover number of Escherichia coli F0F1 ATP synthase for ATP synthesis in membrane vesicles

The rate of ATP synthesized by the ATP synthase (F0F1-ATPase) is limited by the rate of energy production via the respiratory chain, when measured in everted membrane vesicles of an Escherichia coli atp wild-type strain. After energization of the membranes with NADH, fractional inactivation of F0F1 by the covalent inhibitor N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide allowed the rate of ATP synthesis/mol remaining active ATP synthase complexes to increase; the active ATP synthase complexes were calculated using ATP hydrolysis rates as the defining parameter. In addition, variation of the assay temperature revealed an increase of the ATP synthesis rate up to a temperature of 37 degrees C, the optimal growth temperature of E. coli. In parallel, the amount of F0F1 complexes present in membrane vesicles was determined by immunoquantitation to be 3.3 +/- 0.3% of the membrane protein for cells grown in rich medium and 6.6 +/- 0.3% for cells grown in minimal medium with glycerol as sole carbon and energy source. Based on these data, a turnover number for ATP synthesis of 270 +/- 40 s(-1) could be determined in the presence of 5% active F0F1 complexes. Therefore, these studies demonstrate that the ATP synthase complex of E. coli has, with respect to maximum rates, the same capacity as the corresponding enzymes of eukaryotic organells.

Membrane vesicles fromSynechocystis 6803 showing proton and electron transport and high ATP synthase activities

A simple procedure for the preparation of well-coupled and stable membrane vesicles from the transformable cyanobacteriumSynechocystis 6803 is described with the primary aim of producing vesicles suitable for the study of photosynthetic electron transport and phosphorylation. Spheroplasts were obtained from the cyanobacterium by lysozyme treatment and stored untill prior to measurement, thylakoid vesicles were obtained by osmotic shock. These vesicles showed very high and stable ATP synthesis rates either driven by light or by acid-base transition, and also performed light-induced ATP hydrolysis and linear electron transport. Formation of a proton gradient is studied by aminoacridines.

Sequence of the gamma-subunit of Spirulina platensis: a new principle of thiol modulation of F0F1 ATP synthase?

The gene encoding the gamma subunit of Spirulina platensis F0F1, the relative of the chloroplast F1 subunit responsible for thiol activation, has been cloned and sequenced. As in other cyanobacteria, a specific couple of cysteines like those involved in thiol modulation of the chloroplast enzyme was not found. Instead, two cysteine residues were identified in the Spirulina subunit at positions unique amongst all so far sequenced gamma subunits. Involvement of these cysteines in the thiol-modulation of the Spirulina enzyme reported before (Hicks and Yocum (1986) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 245, 230-237, and Lerma and Gomez-Lojero (1987) Photosynth. Res. 11, 265-277) would manifest a re-invention of a regulatory mechanism.

Insertion of a "chloroplast-like" regulatory segment responsible for thiol modulation into gamma-subunit of F0F1-ATPase of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803 by mutagenesis of atpC

A regulatory sequence in the gamma subunit of the F0F1-ATPase complex of higher plant chloroplasts, responsible for so-called thiol modulation, is absent in the corresponding polypeptides of the cyanobacterial complexes analysed so far. We have modified the atpC gene encoding this gamma subunit in Synechocystis 6803 by site-directed mutagenesis. A segment was introduced coding for nine additional amino acids, including the two functional cysteines, which constitutes the sequence of the respective element in the chloroplast gamma subunit. The growth rate as well as the rate of photosynthesis of the transformant was comparable to that of the wild-type, but the transitory increase in respiration observed immediately after a period of illumination was significantly lower in the mutant than in the wild-type. The F1 subcomplex solubilized from thylakoid membranes of both the wild-type and the transformant can be activated by trypsin to yield Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase activity, but only the F1 from the transformant can be activated by the thiol reagent dithiothreitol.