The H⁺/ATP coupling ratio of the ATP synthase from thiol‐modulated chloroplasts and two cyanobacterial strains is four

Abstract

In this paper the authors emphasise that the proton translocating ATP synthase from thiol-modulated chloroplasts and two cyanobacterial strains has a coupling ratio of 4 protons per ATP synthesised or hydrolysed. This ratio is determined by several thermodynamic studies at equilibrium between phosphate potential (Delta Gp) and proton gradient (Delta(mu)H+), and is confirmed by measurement of proton flux during ATP hydrolysis. Ratios lower than 4 H+/ATP that have been published in the past have predominantly been determined with the oxidised chloroplast enzyme. Errors in these measurements will be discussed.