F1-ATPase: A rotary motor made of a single molecule

A review was done to describe a single molecule of F1-adenosine triphosphatase (F1-ATPase), a portion of ATP synthase which functions as a rotary motor enzyme. It involves a central rotor which rotates over unlimited angles against a surrounding stator cylinder of a hexamer. ATP synthase consists of a membrane-embedded, proton-conducting portion F0, and a protruding portion F1. Studies on proton flow through F1 showed that ATP synthase comprises an ATP-driven and a proton-driven motor. A comparison of nucleotide-driven molecular motors is discussed.