Effects of mutations in the β subunit hinge domain on ATP synthase F1 sector rotation: Interaction between Ser 174 and Ile 163

A complex of {gamma}, {epsilon}, and c subunits rotates in ATP synthase (F{sub o}F{sub 1}) coupling with proton transport. Replacement of {beta}Ser174 by Phe in {beta}-sheet4 of the {beta} subunit ({beta}S174F) caused slow {gamma} subunit revolution of the F{sub 1} sector, consistent with the decreased ATPase activity [M. Nakanishi-Matsui, S. Kashiwagi, T. Ubukata, A. Iwamoto-Kihara, Y. Wada, M. Futai, Rotational catalysis of Escherichia coli ATP synthase F1 sector. Stochastic fluctuation and a key domain of the {beta} subunit, J. Biol. Chem. 282 (2007) 20698-20704]. Modeling of the domain including {beta}-sheet4 and {alpha}-helixB predicted that the mutant {beta}Phe174 residue undergoes strong and weak hydrophobic interactions with {beta}Ile163 and {beta}Ile166, respectively. Supporting this prediction, the replacement of {beta}Ile163 in {alpha}-helixB by Ala partially suppressed the {beta}S174F mutation: in the double mutant, the revolution speed and ATPase activity recovered to about half of the levels in the wild-type. Replacement of {beta}Ile166 by Ala lowered the revolution speed and ATPase activity to the same levels as in {beta}S174F. Consistent with the weak hydrophobic interaction, {beta}Ile166 to Ala mutation did not suppress {beta}S174F. Importance of the hinge domain [phosphate-binding loop (P-loop)/{alpha}-helixB/loop/{beta}-sheet4, {beta}Phe148-{beta}Gly186] as to driving rotational catalysis is discussed.