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Rotary protein motors
1Depts Molecular and Cellular Biology and ESPM, College of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. goster@nature.berkely.edu
Trends in Cell Biology
|March 12, 2003
Abstract:
Three protein motors have been unambiguously identified as rotary engines: the bacterial flagellar motor and the two motors that constitute ATP synthase (F(0)F(1) ATPase). Of these, the bacterial flagellar motor and F(0) motors derive their energy from a transmembrane ion-motive force, whereas the F(1) motor is driven by ATP hydrolysis. Here, we review the current understanding of how these protein motors convert their energy supply into a rotary torque.