Effect of the ATPase inhibitor protein IF1 on H+ translocation in the mitochondrial ATP synthase complex

The H+ FoF1-ATP synthase complex of coupling membranes converts the proton-motive force into rotatory mechanical energy to drive ATP synthesis. The F1 moiety of the complex protrudes at the inner side of the membrane, the Fo sector spans the membrane reaching the outer side. The IF1 component of the mitochondrial complex is a basic 10 kDa protein, which inhibits the FoF1-ATP hydrolase activity. The mitochondrial matrix pH is the critical factor for the inhibitory binding of the central segment of IF1 (residue 42–58) to the F1-α/β subunits. We have analyzed the effect of native purified IF1 the IF1-(42–58) synthetic peptide and its mutants on proton conduction, driven by ATP hydrolysis or by [K+] gradients, in bovine heart inside-out submitochondrial particles and in liposome-reconstituted FoF1 complex. The results show that IF1, and in particular its central 42–58 segment, displays different inhibitory affinity for proton conduction from the F1 to the Fo side and in the opposite direction. Cross-linking of IF1 to F1-α/β subunits inhibits the ATP-driven H+ translocation but enhances H+ conduction in the reverse direction. These observation are discussed in terms of the rotary mechanism of the FoF1 complex.