Specific tryptophan substitution in catalytic sites of Escherichia coli F₁-ATPase allows differentiation between bound substrate ATP and product ADP in steady-state catalysis

Tryptophan was specifically inserted as the residue immediately preceding the P-loop sequence in F₁-ATPase catalytic sites. The mutant enzyme (βF148W) showed normal enzymatic characteristics. The fluorescence responses of β-tryptophan 148 enabled us to differentiate between nucleoside di- and triphosphate bound in catalytic sites; MgADP quenched at 350 nm, whereas MgAMPPNP and MgADP·BeF(x) complex enhanced the fluorescence at 325 nm. With MgATP, both effects were seen simultaneously. This allowed analysis of bound catalytic site nucleotides directly under steady-state MgATP hydrolysis conditions. At mM concentration of MgATP (V(max) conditions) one of the three catalytic sites was filled with substrate MgATP and the other two sites were filled with product MgADP. A model for F₁-ATPase steady- state turnover is presented that encompasses these findings. Given the structural similarity of the P-loop in nucleotide-binding proteins, this approach may prove widely useful.