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Today in a biology lecture about plasma membranes and functions of proteins, we learned about channel and enzymatic proteins along other kinds of proteins. ATP synthase is considered an enzyme that synthesizes ATP, but it also creates a channel for H+ ions to pass through into a lower concentration area.


My question is could ATP synthase be considered a channel protein as well as enzymatic protein? Or no since the ion channeling is part of the enzymatic reaction? Also are there more examples were some proteins could have more than one kind of protein to them?


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ATP synthase is an enzyme, a molecular motor, and an ion channel all wrapped together in one structure (Fig. 1). It is an enzyme, because it generates ATP. It is a molecular motor, because the central rotor part turns about 150 times every second during ATP synthesis (Source: MRC mitochondrial Biology Unit). It is an ion channel, because it funnels protons into the mitochondrion during ATP generation (Source: Davidson College).

ATPsynthase
ATP synthase. Source: Ace Biochemistry

ATP synthase is composed of two subunits, F0 and F1. The 0 subunit is embedded in the inner membrane, and the other, containing the catalytic parts, protrudes into the matrix.

F0 contains the proton channel and is connected to F1 with a stalk.

F1 consists of five polypeptide chains, alpha (a), beta (b), gamma (g), delta (d), and epsilon (e). The alpha and beta chains make up the bulk of F1 and are arranged in a hexameric ring. Both chains bind nucleotides, but only beta participates in catalysis (Source: ACE Biochemistry).

Another example of complex proteins are G-protein coupled receptors, for example those linked to ion channels (Fig. 2).

GPCR
G protein coupled receptors. Image source: Wikipedia

Here, a receptor is bound to a G-protein, that becomes activated after receptor binding. The G protein then leaves the receptor and travels to an ion channel and activates it (or inhibits it).

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  • $\begingroup$ You explained how ATP Synthase works, but could it be considered both an enzymatic protein as well as a channel protein? $\endgroup$ Dec 15, 2015 at 9:07
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    $\begingroup$ @JovanyMerham - First sentences of the answer! Because it is ultimately ATP that is the final product of the protein, ATP synthase is what it is called, as a functional reference. $\endgroup$
    – AliceD
    Dec 15, 2015 at 9:13
  • $\begingroup$ So the idea is a protein is considered to be one type or another is by the major function of the protein, am I on the right track? $\endgroup$ Dec 15, 2015 at 9:20
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    $\begingroup$ @JovanyMerham - nomenclature is often murky and there are no strict rules. If the H+ gradient reverses it may even become a H+ pump that hydrolyses ATP, making it a a H+-ATPase instead of a synthase. The important thing is that everyone calls it ATP synthase, which is its physiological function. $\endgroup$
    – AliceD
    Dec 15, 2015 at 9:40

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