Thermodynamics and kinetics of the FoF1-ATPase

Abstract

We use the results of recent publications as vehicles with which to discuss the thermodynamics of the proton-driven mitochondrial FoF1-ATP synthase, focusing particularly on the possibility that there may be dissociation between rotatory steps and ATP synthesis/hydrolysis. Such stoichiometric ‘slippage’ has been invoked in the literature to explain observed non-ideal behaviour.