How does ATP change the shape of a transport protein?

  • Thread starter obiwankenobi
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Transport
In summary, ATP changes the shape of a transport protein through the different states associated with ATP hydrolysis, which can induce changes to the surrounding protein and propagate throughout the protein. The phosphate group does not attach itself to the active transporters, but can be attached by other proteins to alter the structure or interaction of the protein.
  • #1
obiwankenobi
4
0
Hi,

Could someone explain to me how exactly ATP changes the shape of a transport protein? If ATP, when hydrolyzed, releases free energy, how does this energy change the conformation of the structure of the protein? Additionally, why must a phosphate group attach itself to it?

Thanks!
 
Biology news on Phys.org
  • #2
Most enzymes bind their substrates in pockets in the interior of the protein. The different states associated with ATP hydrolysis (ATP --> ADP + Pi --> ADP) will have very different shapes that can cause changes to the shape of the pocket surrounding the nucleotide. For example, after ATP hydrolysis, you have the beta and gamma phosphate groups moving apart, which can induce changes to the surrounding protein, as can the reduction in size of the pocket that occurs when the phoshpate leaves. These changes to the shape of the nucleotide binding pocket can propagate throughout the protein, causing larger conformational changes throughout the protein. The nucleotide binding pockets of ATPases often occur at the interface between different subdomains of the protein, so changes to the shape of the nucleotide binding pocket will greatly change the quaternary structure of the protein.

Most of the active transporters that directly use the energy of ATP (as ATPases) don't attach the phosphate to themselves. Other proteins can attach phosphates to these or other proteins in the cell, and the phosphate can alter the structure of the protein or its interaction with other proteins.
 
  • Like
Likes mechpeac

1. What is ATP?

ATP stands for adenosine triphosphate and is a molecule found in all living cells. It serves as the primary energy source for cellular processes by providing the necessary energy for chemical reactions to occur.

2. How is ATP produced?

ATP is produced through the process of cellular respiration, specifically during the electron transport chain in the mitochondria. It is also produced through photosynthesis in plant cells.

3. What is the role of ATP in active transport?

Active transport is the movement of molecules against their concentration gradient, requiring energy. ATP provides this energy by breaking down into ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and releasing a phosphate group, which can then be used to power active transport processes.

4. How is ATP different from ADP?

ATP and ADP are both nucleotides, but they differ in the number of phosphate groups they contain. ATP has three phosphate groups, while ADP has two. ATP is the high-energy form of the molecule, while ADP is the low-energy form.

5. Can ATP be reused?

Yes, ATP can be regenerated and reused in the cell. ADP can be converted back into ATP through the process of cellular respiration, which replenishes the phosphate group and restores the molecule to its high-energy form.

Similar threads

  • Biology and Medical
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
31
Views
5K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
21
Views
4K
Replies
13
Views
1K
Replies
17
Views
18K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
7
Views
11K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
3
Views
1K
Back
Top