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Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions
Published on: January 18, 2017
Rotary torque produced by proton motive force in FoF1 motor
Zhang Yinghao1, Wang Jun, Cui Yuanbo
1The National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
Abstract:
We have attempted direct observation of the light-driven rotation of a FoF(1)-ATP motor. The FoF(1)-ATP motor was co-reconstituted by the deletion-delta subunit of FoF(1)-ATP synthase with bacteriorhodopsins (BRs) into a liposome. The BR converts radiation energy into electrochemical gradient of proton to drive the FoF(1)-ATP motor. Therefore, the light-driven rotation of FoF(1)-ATP motor has been directly observed by a fluorescence microscopy using a fluorescent actin filament connected to beta-subunit as a marker of its orientation. The rotational torque value of the Fo motor was calculated as 27.93+/-1.88pNnm. The ATP motor is expected to be a promising rotary molecular motor in the development of nanodevices.
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