Question

Does mitochondria produce proteins? Which ones?

Answer 1

Yes, it will produce proteins that will later make the enzyme ATPase (remember enzymes are also proteins). Mitochondria is a unique organelle due to the fact that it has it's own DNA. If if has DNA, it can code for proteins. MT-ATP6 and MT-ATP8 are genes on mitochondrial DNA that are used in the ATPase. You can double check with wikipedia.

Answer 2

14 genes are still encoded by mitochondrial DNA. the rest have migrated to the cellular nucleus along evoltion. the teleological reason may be their transportation into the mitochondria (through the TIM-TOM complex) is difficult, due to constraints such as protein folding and acidity differences between the mitocohndrial crista and the nucleoplasm

Answer 3

I concur!