New
Discovery in ATP Synthase
Background Information
Role
of ATP Sythase in the Cell
Role of ATP Sythase in the Cell
ATP Synthase is the provider of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in the cell, and is subject to regulation at all times to compensate for increases and decreases in cellular energy requirements and varying cellular conditions. Energy is stored in the phosphate bonds of ATP. The energy stored in ATP can be used to drive other reactions in the cell. When ATP consumption increases, the amount of ADP in the cell increases, providing more reactants in equilibrium between ADP + Pi and ATP, increasing the rate of ATP synthesis provided the proton gradient is unaffected.
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Figure : ATP Synthase provides ATP for the cell. It is found in the mitochondria. The conversion of ADP and inorganic phosphate to ATP is shown in this cartoon (Wang 1998). |
Other regulation of energy exists in the body, including the interaction between ATP production and oxidative phosphorylation, the citric acid cycle and glycolysis. When ATP is being used rapidly, the rate of electron transfer and oxidative phosphorylation increases to compensate. The citric acid cycle increases (increase in the oxidation of pyruvate), which increases the amount of electrons flowing into the electron transport chain. This can lead to an increase in the demand for pyruvate, which increases the rate of glycolysis also (Nelson and Cox 2005).
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