On the one hand, this type of organizational structure benefits from having individuals entirely dedicated to one function. In some cases, there can be cost savings and efficiency gains in combining functions in this way. However, this type of organizational structure is prone to conflict.
The alpha subunit (RpoA) initiates RNAP assembly by dimerising to form a platform on which the beta subunits can interact. The alpha subunit consists of a N-terminal domain (NTD) and a C-terminal domain (CTD), connected by a short linker.
In V- and A-ATPases, the alpha/A and beta/B subunits of the V1 or A1 complex are homologous to the alpha and beta subunits in the F1 complex of F-ATPases, except that the alpha subunit is catalytic and the beta subunit is regulatory.