The 46-nucleotide overlap in the reading frames of the human mitochondrial genes MT-ATP6 and MT-ATP8. For each nucleotide triplet (square brackets), the corresponding amino acid is given (one-letter code), either in the +3 frame for MT-ATP6 (in blue) or in the +1 frame for MT-ATP8 (in red).
MT-ATP6 (or ATP6) is a mitochondrial gene with the full name 'mitochondrially encoded ATP synthase membrane subunit 6' that encodes the ATP synthase Fo subunit 6 (or subunit/chain A). This subunit belongs to the Fo complex of the large, transmembrane F-type ATP synthase.[5] This enzyme, which is also known as complex V, is responsible for the final step of oxidative phosphorylation in the electron transport chain. Specifically, one segment of ATP synthase allows positively charged ions, called protons, to flow across a specialized membrane inside mitochondria. Another segment of the enzyme uses the energy created by this proton flow to convert a molecule called adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to ATP. Mutations in the MT-ATP6 gene have been found in approximately 10 to 20 percent of people with Leigh syndrome.[6]
