Advances in F₀F₁-ATP synthase biological protein nanomotor: From mechanisms and strategies to potential applications

Movement and shape changes are fundamental aspects of all living organisms. This biological motility results from the biological nanomotors, in particular protein nanomotors. Cells contain a variety of protein nanomotors that rotate (e.g., F₀F₁-ATP synthase or bacterial flagellar motors) or move in a linear fashion (e.g., the kinesin, myosin and dynein motors). F₀ F₁-ATP synthase is one of the ideal nanomotors or energy providing systems for micro/nanomachines because of its small size, smart and perfect structure, and ultra-high energy transfer efficiency. Therefore, in this paper, we have reviewed the structure, mechanism, and potential applications of the F₀F₁-ATP synthase nanomotor. In all organisms, the F₀F₁-ATP synthase consists of two distinct nanomotors, F₀ and F₁. The F₀ moiety is embedded in the membrane and is a detergent soluble unit while the F₁ moiety protrudes from the membrane and is a water soluble unit. F₀F₁-ATP synthase operates as two stepper motor/generators coupled by a common shaft and an electrochemical-to-mechanical-to-chemical energy transducer with an astounding 360° rotary motion of subunits. F₀F₁ -ATP synthase nanomotor may enable the creation of a new class of sensors, mechanical force transducers, actuators, and nanomechanical devices. Thus, the F₀F₁-ATP synthase nanomotor field has expanded into a wide variety of science.