Schematic model of the asymmetric conformational changes in the CCT.

<p>Subunits are colored according to nucleotide affinity. Red: high; blue: low. The conformational change may proceed in a sequential fashion owing to the asymmetric usage of ATP by the eukaryotic group II chaperonin. ATP firstly bind to the high ATP affinity hemisphere and induces the conformational change, in less than 1 second. Subsequently, the low ATP affinity hemisphere changes to the closed conformation. Finally, the ring rotates in counter clockwise direction by the cooperative action of the subunits in the ring.