ATP synthase subunit alpha, mitochondrial

UniProtKB accession:  Q9GS23

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UniProtKB description:  Mitochondrial membrane ATP synthase (F(1)F(o) ATP synthase) produces ATP from ADP in the presence of a proton gradient across the membrane which is generated by electron transport complexes of the respiratory chain (PubMed:19436713, PubMed:29247468). F-type ATPases consist of two structural domains, F(1) - containing the extramembraneous catalytic core, and F(o) - containing the membrane proton channel, linked together by a central stalk and a peripheral stalk (PubMed:19436713, PubMed:29247468, PubMed:29440423). During catalysis, ATP synthesis in the catalytic domain of F(1) is coupled via a rotary mechanism of the central stalk subunits to proton translocation. Subunits alpha and beta form the catalytic core in F(1) (PubMed:19436713, PubMed:29440423). Rotation of the central stalk against the surrounding alpha(3)beta(3) subunits leads to hydrolysis of ATP in three separate catalytic sites on the beta subunits (Probable). Subunit alpha does not bear the catalytic high-affinity ATP-binding sites (PubMed:29440423). Contrary to the procyclic, insect form that requires F(1)F(o) ATP synthase for ATP synthesis, the bloodstream form relies on ATP hydrolysis by F(1)F(o) ATP synthase to maintain its mitochondrial membrane potential (PubMed:29247468).