http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100301091428.htm
Researchers at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center recently discovered how ATP is broken down in the cells. They investigated a family of the proteins that break down ATP called Kinesins. They used X-ray crystallography to develop get an idea of the stucture.
They tracked a specific kinesin in the cyclic cycle and found that water molecules actually play a pivitol role in the cycle. And the protein uses this water to break down ATP.
Posted by Jono Turchetta
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I found this post incredibly interesting because ATP is the energy that drives and controls our lives and existence on earth.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that water played such a major role in the process. It is also incredible that they are able to create mimic ATP.
ReplyDeleteRobert Stenger
It is cool to know the actual process that takes place during the breaking down of ATP into ADP. When I learned about ATP in my high school Bio classes we didn't learn much more than that it is "magically broken down."
ReplyDelete--Will Black
I was already familiar with the role of water in breaking ATP down to ADP. However, what is interesting about this article is the investigation of the Kinesin proteins. I am left curious to know the exact mechanism of reaction between Kinesin and water, and how this leads to the breakdown of ATP.
ReplyDelete-Cullen