Mitochondrial F1-ATPase is an oligomeric enzyme composed of five distinct subunit polypeptides. The alpha and beta subunits make up the bulk of protein mass of F1. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae both subunits are synthesised as precursors with amino-terminal targeting signals that are removed upon translocation of the proteins to the matrix compartment [3]. These proteins include examples from eukaryotes and bacteria and may have chaperone activity, being involved in F1 ATPase complex assembly.

1: Identification of two nuclear genes (ATP11, ATP12) required for assembly of the yeast F1-ATPase. Ackerman SH, Tzagoloff A; Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1990;87:4986-4990. PMID:2142305

2: The alpha-subunit of the mitochondrial F(1) ATPase interacts directly with the assembly factor Atp12p. Wang ZG, Sheluho D, Gatti DL, Ackerman SH; EMBO J 2000;19:1486-1493. PMID:10747017

3: Characterization of ATP12, a yeast nuclear gene required for the assembly of the mitochondrial F1-ATPase. Bowman S, Ackerman SH, Griffiths DE, Tzagoloff A; J Biol Chem 1991;266:7517-7523. PMID:1826907