ATP Synthase
Introduction
ATP Synthase is an elaborate bio-motor. This complex drives synthesis of the ATP, the energy currency of the cell. This complex uses the free energy of proton gradient across inner mitochondrial membrane to regenerate ATP from it’s precursors ADP and Pi.
Mechanism
Protons in their journey from inter membrane space to matrix induce rotation in c-subunit of ATP Synthase, this in turn provokes rotation of yet other subunit, The gamma subunit. This subunit induce conformational changes in F1 subunits and these events leads to synthesis of a ATP.
Molpaper
This image is created from protein data bank data file provided by RCSB. This image does not represent actual structure of ATP Synthase since it lacks several subunits.
Tus Protein
Tus is an E.Coli protein. This protein recognize DNA sequence of ter in genome of E.coli. Tus prevents replication machinery to pass replication end site.
Lipokine, A new hormone class?
In September 19th issue of the cell, Gökhan S. Hotamisligil introduced a new lipid hormone Lipokines , which protect mouse from damaging effect of high fat diet.
In this study they used FABP(Fatty Acid Binding Protein) knockout mouse which exhibit high concentration of FFA(Free Fatty acid) in their cytosol. in presence of this high concentreation of FFA, Adipose tissue release palmitoleate (first identified lipokine), a fatty acid, that act as a hormone on liver and muscle, stimulating glucose uptake in liver and muscle and lipid synthesis in the liver. This is an example of so called a “good fat”.
Hotamisligil in cell podcast anticipates the existence of other lipokine. he says it is just an example of a new class of bioactive molecules.
You can listen to the podcast here
You can visit their articles here