On the Structure of the ATP‐Synthase from Chloroplasts

The H + ‐translocating ATPase (“ATP‐synthase, CF 0 F 1 ) was isolated from chloroplasts and characterized biochemically and by high resolution electron microscopy. The ATP‐synthase has a hydrophilic part, CF 1 , and a hydrophobic part, CF 0 , with subunit composition I, II, III, 12 , IV. The top view projection of CF 1 (i.e. vertical to the membrane) reveals a pseudohexagonal arrangement of the large subunits α 3 β 3 , which ara arranged in two layers. The α‐ and β‐subunits are connected by a stalk with the membrane‐integrated CF 0 part. The shape and dimensions of CF 0 F 1 are given and a model for the subunit arrangement is described.