Using F0F1-ATPase motors as micro-mixers accelerates thrombolysis.

We have developed a novel micro-mixer using a biological molecular ATP motor. The micro-mixer was constructed from arrays of chromatophore-embedded delta-free F(0)F(1)-ATPases, where the delta-free F(1) part acted as a rotator to mix solutions, and the F(0) part was driven by light. Confocal microscope studies indicated that the micro-mixer did not touch directly on the fibrin labeled with FITC. The nanomechanical force generated by the motor induced drug movement in the solution and accelerated the fibrinolysis process. All results strongly suggest that the micro-mixers generated a nanomechanical force which accelerated the fibrinolysis process in the presence of lower concentrations of lumbrokinase.