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ATP synthase Fo complex, subunit 6 (eukaryotes) and subunit a (prokaryotes) Bacterial forms are designated as ATP synthase, Fo complex, subunit a; eukaryotic (chloroplast and mitochondrial) forms are designated as ATP synthase, Fo complex, subunit 6. The F-ATP synthases (also called FoF1-ATPases) consist of two structural domains: F1 (factor one) complex containing the soluble catalytic core, and Fo (oligomycin sensitive factor) complex containing the membrane proton channel, linked together by a central stalk and a peripheral stalk. F-ATP synthases are primarily found in the inner membranes of eukaryotic mitochondria, in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts or in the plasma membranes of bacteria. F-ATP synthase has also been found in the archaea Methanosarcina acetivorans. F-ATP synthases are the primary producers of ATP, using the proton gradient generated by oxidative phosphorylation (mitochondria) or photosynthesis (chloroplasts). Alternatively, under conditions of low driving force, ATP synthases function as ATPases, thus generating a transmembrane proton or Na(+) gradient at the expense of energy derived from ATP hydrolysis.
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