STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF THE COATED VESICLE (H+)-ATPASE

Clathrin-coated vesicles play an important role in both receptor-mediated endocytosis and intracellular membrane traffic in eukaryotic cells. The coated vesicle (H+)-ATPase functions to provide the acidic environment within endosomes and other intracellular compartments necessary for receptor recycling and intracellular membrane traffic. The coated vesicle (H+)-ATPase is composed of nine different subunits which are divided into two distinct domains. The peripheral V1 domain, which has the structure 73(3) : 58(3) : 40(1) : 34(1) : 33(1), possesses the nucleotide binding sites of the (H+)-ATPase. The integral V0 domain. which has the composition 100(1) : 38(1) : 19(1) : 17(6), contains the pathway for proton conduction across the membrane. Topographical analysis indicates a structure for the coated vesicle (H+)-ATPase verv similar to that of the F-type ATPases. Reassembly studies have allowed us to probe the function of particular subunits in this complex and the activity properties of the separate domains. These studies have led to insights into possible mechanisms of regulating vacuolar acidification.