Mitochondrial ATP synthase catalyzes ATP synthesis, utilizing an electrochemical gradient of protons across the inner membrane during oxidative phosphorylation. It is composed of two linked multi-subunit complexes: the soluble catalytic core, F1, and the membrane-spanning component, Fo, which comprises the proton channel. The F1 complex consists of 5 different subunits (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon) assembled in a ratio of 3 alpha, 3 beta, and a single representative of the other 3. The Fo seems to have nine subunits (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, F6 and 8). This gene encodes the e subunit of the Fo complex.[4]
In yeast, the FO complex E subunit appears to play an important role in supporting F-ATPase dimerisation. This subunit is anchored to the inner mitochondrial membrane via its N-terminal region, which is involved in stabilising subunits G and K of the FO complex. The C-terminal region of subunit E is hydrophilic, protruding into the intermembrane space where it can also help stabilise the F-ATPase dimer complex.[5]
Papathanassiu AE, MacDonald NJ, Bencsura A, Vu HA (2006). "F1F0-ATP synthase functions as a co-chaperone of Hsp90-substrate protein complexes". Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 345 (1): 419–29. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.04.104. PMID16682002.
