ATP synthase converts the electrochemical potential at the inner mitochondrial membrane into chemical energy, producing the ATP that powers the cell. Using electron cryo-tomography we show that the ATP synthase of mammalian mitochondria is arranged in long B1-lm rows of dimeric supercomplexes, located at the apex of cristae membranes. The dimer ribbons enforce a strong local curvature on the membrane with a 17-nm outer radius. Calculations of the electrostatic field strength indicate a significant increase in charge density, and thus in the local pH gradient of B0.5 units in regions of high membrane curvature. We conclude that the mitochondrial cristae act as proton traps, and that the proton sink of the ATP synthase at the apex of the compartment favours effective ATP synthesis under proton-limited conditions. We propose that the mitochondrial ATP synthase organises itself into dimer ribbons to optimise its own performance.

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The yeast ERV1 gene encodes a small polypeptide of 189 amino acids that is essential for mitochondrial function and for the viability of the cell. In this study we report the enzymatic activity of this protein as a flavin-linked sulfhydryl oxidase catalyzing the formation of disulfide bridges. Deletion of the amino-terminal part of Erv1p shows that the enzyme activity is located in the 15 kDa carboxy-terminal domain of the protein. This fragment of Erv1p still binds FAD and catalyzes the formation of disulfide bonds but is no longer able to form dimers like the complete protein. The carboxy-terminal fragment contains a conserved CXXC motif that is present in all homologous proteins from yeast to human. Thus Erv1p represents the first FAD-linked sulfhydryl oxidase from yeast and the first of these enzymes that is involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. ß

Molecular motors produce force when they interact with their cellular tracks. For myosin motors, the primary force-generating state has MgADP tightly bound, whereas myosin is strongly bound to actin. We have generated an 8-Å cryoEM reconstruction of this state for myosin V and used molecular dynamics flexed fitting for model building. We compare this state to the subsequent state on actin (Rigor). The ADP-bound structure reveals that the actin-binding cleft is closed, even though MgADP is tightly bound. This state is accomplished by a previously unseen conformation of the β-sheet underlying the nucleotide pocket. The transition from the force-generating ADP state to Rigor requires a 9.5°rotation of the myosin lever arm, coupled to a β-sheet rearrangement. Thus, the structure reveals the detailed rearrangements underlying myosin force generation as well as the basis of strain-dependent ADP release that is essential for processive myosins, such as myosin V.T he actin-based molecular motor, myosin, generates force and movement via a series of structural transitions when bound to filamentous actin (F-actin). Among these structural states, the most important contribution to force production comes from the myosin ADP states that bind strongly to actin. Release of ADP from the motor is rapidly followed by MgATP binding, which then leads to myosin dissociation from actin. Once the dissociation occurs, myosin can undergo a structural change that allows it to prime its mechanical element (known as the lever arm; Fig. 1) and hydrolyze ATP. Myosin rebinding to actin triggers release of phosphate and reentry into the force-generating states on actin. Thus, force is produced by MgADP-bound states of myosin bound to actin.In the absence of strain, a strong-binding MgADP state bound to actin can exist for varying durations, depending on the type of myosin. Myosins that are designed to spend the majority of their catalytic cycle bound to actin in force-generating states in the absence of load, such as myosin V a , primarily occupy a state that is characterized by having both a high affinity for MgADP and a high affinity for actin. The myosin motor cycle is summarized in Fig. 1. By not rapidly releasing MgADP, the myosin motors can dwell in a force-generating state on actin that cannot be detached from actin by ATP binding. This is the primary force-generating state for all myosins, and its lifetime on actin is prolonged under load (for a review, see ref. 1).Although the nucleotide-free myosin V X-ray structure (2) (Rigor-like state) provides an atomic level model for the actomyosin state that is formed after ADP is released, and to which ATP can rapidly bind (2), we only have low-resolution EM reconstructions of myosin bound to actin in a MgADP state. Visualization of this state at the EM level was first performed for smooth muscle myosin II (3) and provided the first structural evidence that the myosin lever arm swings as the motor progresses through its actinbound, force-generating states. It was postulated at the time that th...

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Yeast Erv1p is a ubiquitous FAD-dependent sulfhydryl oxidase, located in the intermembrane space of mitochondria. The dimeric enzyme is essential for survival of the cell. Besides the redox-active CXXC motif close to the FAD, Erv1p harbours two additional cysteine pairs. Sitedirected mutagenesis has identified all three cysteine pairs as essential for normal function. The C-terminal cysteine pair is of structural importance as it contributes to the correct arrangement of the FAD-binding fold. Variations in dimer formation and unique colour changes of mutant proteins argue in favour of an interaction between the N-terminal cysteine pair with the redox centre of the partner monomer.

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