The ATPases of Propionigenium modestum and Bacillus alcalophilus. Strategies for ATP synthesis under low energy conditions.

In Propionigenium modestum, ATP synthesis is coupled via delta mu Na+ to the decarboxylation of (S)-methylmalonyl-CoA. The low energy yield of this reaction implies that approx. 4 decarboxylation cycles are necessary to synthesize 1 molecule of ATP. Theoretical considerations in accord with experimental results suggest ATP synthesis in P. modestum at delta mu Na+ = -110 mV. Other anaerobic bacteria synthesize ATP at a delta mu H+ of similar size and alkaliphilic bacteria at pH 10.3 have a delta mu H+ of only -103 mV. In these cases, the H+(Na+) to ATP stoichiometry must be at least 4.