The characterization and analysis of Pap10 in mitochondria

The F₁F_O ATP synthase plays a major role in oxidative phosphorylation by utilizing the proton gradient across the mitochondrial inner membrane to generate ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate. The F₁F_O ATP synthase, which spans the mitochondrial inner membrane, can be found as monomeric species or associated into homo-dimers. Moreover, higher oligomers of the F₁F_O ATP synthase formed by homo-dimers have been found in various organisms. The higher oligomeric states of the enzyme are involved in mitochondrial ultrastructure by promoting membrane curvature and cristae membrane formation. By using a sequence motif screen to identify novel dimerization factors of the F₁F_O ATP synthase, we have identified a previously uncharacterized mitochondrial protein, which we termed Pap10. Here we analyzed ATPase association and function of Pap10 in mitochondria.