Purified F-ATP synthase forms a Ca²⁺-dependent high-conductance channel matching the mitochondrial permeability transition pore.

Abstract

The molecular identity of the mitochondrial megachannel (MMC)/permeability transition pore (PTP), a key effector of cell death, remains controversial. By combining highly purified, fully active bovine F-ATP synthase with preformed liposomes we show that Ca²⁺ dissipates the H⁺ gradient generated by ATP hydrolysis. After incorporation of the same preparation into planar lipid bilayers Ca²⁺ elicits currents matching those of the MMC/PTP. Currents were fully reversible, were stabilized by benzodiazepine 423, a ligand of the OSCP subunit of F-ATP synthase that activates the MMC/PTP, and were inhibited by Mg²⁺ and adenine nucleotides, which also inhibit the PTP. Channel activity was insensitive to inhibitors of the adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) and of the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC). Native gel-purified oligomers and dimers, but not monomers, gave rise to channel activity. These findings resolve the long-standing mystery of the MMC/PTP and demonstrate that Ca²⁺ can transform the energy-conserving F-ATP synthase into an energy-dissipating device.