biostudies-literatureUnknown7(9)Saroussi SA ring of 8-15 identical c-subunits is essential for ion-translocation by the rotary electromotor of the ubiquitous F(O)F(1)-ATPase. Here we present the crystal structure at 3.4Å resolution of the c-ring from chloroplasts of a higher plant (Pisum sativum), determined using a native preparation. The crystal structure was found to resemble that of an (ancestral) cyanobacterium. Using elastic network modeling to investigate the ring's eigen-modes, we found five dominant modes of motion that fell into three classes. They revealed the following deformations of the ring: (I) ellipsoidal, (II) opposite twisting of the luminal circular surface of the ring against the stromal surface, and (III) kinking of the hairpin-shaped monomers in the middle, resulting in bending/stretching of the ring. ExtensPloS onee43045https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC3458034biostudies-literatureStructure and flexibility of the C-ring in the electromotor of rotary F(0)F(1)-ATPase of pea chloroplasts.PMC3458034Schushan MSaroussi SJunge WBen-Tal NNelson NfalseStructure and flexibility of the C-ring in the electromotor of rotary F(0)F(1)-ATPase of pea chloroplasts.A ring of 8-15 identical c-subunits is essential for ion-translocation by the rotary electromotor of the ubiquitous F(O)F(1)-ATPase. Here we present the crystal structure at 3.4Å resolution of the c-ring from chloroplasts of a higher plant (Pisum sativum), determined using a native preparation. The crystal structure was found to resemble that of an (ancestral) cyanobacterium. Using elastic network modeling to investigate the ring's eigen-modes, we found five dominant modes of motion that fell into three classes. They revealed the following deformations of the ring: (I) ellipsoidal, (II) opposite twisting of the luminal circular surface of the ring against the stromal surface, and (III) kinking of the hairpin-shaped monomers in the middle, resulting in bending/stretching of the ring. Extens2012-01-01T00:00:00Z20122026-05-01T20:00:48.836Z2019-03-26T23:19:01ZS-EPMC34580342304973510.1371/journal.pone.0043045