[furball4paws]

"Mechanics of ATP Synthase.

Wolfgang Junge, D. Cherepanov; O. Panke; K. Gumbiowsky; M. Muller; S. Engelbrecht

Departement of Biophysics, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastr.11, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany

ATP synthase functions as two rotary motor/generators coupled together by a central shaft and an eccentric bearing. Symmetry mismatch between the protonmotive drive, FO, and the nucleotide processing device, F1, call for a soft elastic power transmission. Its existence is demonstrated by micro-videography of rotation and its functional benefits are theoretically scrutinised.

Keywords:
ATPase; motor protein; nanomechanics; viscoelasticity; proton"

from:

http://bio.web.psi.ch/MV2001/abstracts.html

Micro-videography of rotation? - wow! Pure speculation, but does this sound like an evolutionary prototype for the flagellum?

[b_sharp]

"Micro-videography of rotation? - wow! Pure speculation, but does this sound like an evolutionary prototype for the flagellum?

Geeze, I wonder? LOL

Even molecules enjoy the dance and occasionally spin.

[tallhappy]

Pure speculation, but does this sound like an evolutionary prototype for the flagellum?

An idea how many decades old? Interesting to speculate on something almost accepted for many years all ready.

Recent article from Japan: Direct observation of steps in rotation of the bacterial flagellar motor, Nature 437, 916-919 (6 October 2005)

Has movie in supplementary info page.