Cited by 75ATP Synthase and ATPases ResearchMitochondrial Function and PathologyProtein Structure and Dynamics

Atomistic simulations indicate the c-subunit ring of the F1Fo ATP synthase is not the mitochondrial permeability transition pore

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Zhou, Wenchang, Marinelli, Fabrizio, Nief, Corrine, Faraldo-Gómez, José D·2017·eLife

Abstract

Pathological metabolic conditions such as ischemia induce the rupture of the mitochondrial envelope and the release of pro-apoptotic proteins, leading to cell death. At the onset of this process, the inner mitochondrial membrane becomes depolarized and permeable to osmolytes, proposedly due to the opening of a non-selective protein channel of unknown molecular identity. A recent study purports that this channel, referred to as Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore (MPTP), is formed within the c-subunit ring of the ATP synthase, upon its dissociation from the catalytic domain of the enzyme. Here, we examine this claim for two c-rings of different lumen width, through calculations of their ion conductance and selectivity based on all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. We also quantify the likelihood that the lumen of these c-rings is in a hydrated, potentially conducting state rather than empty or blocked by lipid molecules. These calculations demonstrate that the structure and biophysical properties of a correctly assembled c-ring are inconsistent with those attributed to the MPTP.

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Authors
Zhou, W., Marinelli, F., Nief, C., & Faraldo-Gómez, J. D.
Affiliations
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
  • Theoretical Molecular Biophysics Section, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States
Corresponding author
Marinelli, Fabrizio
Venue
eLife
Published
2017-02-10
Volume
6
ISSN
2050-084X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2586483729
Cited by
75
References
40
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 13
FWCI
6.36
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • eLife (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, public-domain)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › ATP Synthase and ATPases Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Protein Structure and Dynamics
Keywords
mitochondrial permeability transition pore, F1FO-ATP synthase, ionic conductance, ion selectivity, mitochondrial membrane permeability, apoptosis, molecular dynamics simulation
MeSH terms
Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Mitochondrial Proton-Translocating ATPases, Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins, Molecular Dynamics Simulation

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