ADVANCES IN F₀F₁-ATP SYNTHASE BIOLOGICAL PROTEIN NANOMOTOR: FROM MECHANISMS AND STRATEGIES TO POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Movement and shape changes are fundamental aspects of all living organisms. This biological motility results from the biological nanomotors, in particular protein nanomotors. Cells contain a variety of protein nanomotors that rotate (e.g., F0F1-ATP synthase or bacterial flagellar motors) or move in a linear fashion (e.g., the kinesin, myosin and dynein motors). F0F1-ATP synthase is one of the ideal nanomotors or energy providing systems for micro/nanomachines because of its small size, smart and perfect structure, and ultra-high energy transfer efficiency. Therefore, in this paper, we have reviewed the structure, mechanism, and potential applications of the F0F1-ATP synthase nanomotor. In all organisms, the F0F1-ATP synthase consists of two distinct nanomotors, F0 and F1. The F0 moiety is embedded in the membrane and is a detergent soluble unit while the F1 moiety protrudes from the membrane and is a water soluble unit. F0F1-ATP synthase operates as two stepper motor/generators coupled by a common shaft and an electrochemical-to-mechanical-to-chemical energy transducer with an astounding 360° rotary motion of subunits. F0F1-ATP synthase nanomotor may enable the creation of a new class of sensors, mechanical force transducers, actuators, and nanomechanical devices. Thus, the F0F1-ATP synthase nanomotor field has expanded into a wide variety of science.

Photoisomerization of fluorinated 1,3-dimethyl-5-propenyl uracils as a cycle of sequential reactions: Electrocyclization in its use in light-fueled nanomotors

“…Both helical isomers (M-, P-) of compounds 1-F and 2-F are shown in Scheme 2, however, to exhibit the possibility of the 360°rotation, only one enantiomer was shown for each pair of intermediates and transition states. Importantly, factors favoring one helical arrangement (for example, chiral substituent on the uracil ring) would also favor the 360°r otation in one direction only, which is a key factor for a successful design of a nanorotor [4][5][6][7][8][9]. Selective clockwise or counterclockwise rotation can be obtained by using a proper enantiomer.…”

“…However, factors favoring one helical arrangement would also favor the 360°rotation in one direction only, which is a key factor for a successful design of a nanomotor. Thus, we provided a simple example of molecular rotor [4][5][6][7][8][9] powered directly by light. The results described here show that compounds capable of performing organized and controlled mechanical movements upon light stimulation can be obtained by using appropriately designed system.…”

“…The photoisomerization of C@C double bond is one of the classic subject of photochemistry and has been a subject of intense research for long time. The cis-trans photoisomerization of dienes is of considerable interest because it provides a prototypical system for studying the coupling between electronic excitation and atomic motion, which is envisioned to be of key importance in light harvesting nanomotors [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. It also plays a central role in a variety of photoprocesses including visual transduction.…”

ATP Synthase: A Molecular Therapeutic Drug Target for Antimicrobial and Antitumor Peptides

“…The catalytic function of ATP synthase with respect to ATP hydrolysis or synthesis in F 1 F o and its relationship to the mechanical rotation of γ-subunit is not the focus of this review. However, a better understanding of the structure and function of F 1 F o would illuminate the possible pathways to developing ATP synthase as a molecular drug target and its use in nanotechnology and nanomedicine [52–55]. Hence, understanding the structure and catalytic function of ATP synthase, particularly Pi binding leading to ATP formation, is of paramount importance to embarking on the details of its inhibition by peptides [2, 3, 56–59].…”

Biomedical applications of nanobiosensors: the state-of-the-art

“…55 Current developments in nanoelectronics, biochemistry and information technology are providing feasible development pathways to allow the creation of nanorobots. [56][57][58][59] Nanorobots are considered a new possibility for the health sector to improve medical instrumentation, diagnosis and therapeutic treatments. 60 Medical nanorobot manufacturing includes embedded and integrated devices, which can comprise the main sensing, actuation, data transmission, remote control uploading and coupling power supply subsystems addressing the basics to biomedical instrumentation.…”