161,010 research outputs found
Studies on the synthesis of mitochondrial proteins in the cytoplasm and on their transport into the mitochondria
Partial sequence of a chloroform-methanol soluble polypeptide from Neurospora mitochondrial membranes
Characterization of Translocation Contact Sites Involved in the Import of Mitochondrial Proteins
Import of proteins into the mitochondrial matrix requires translocation across two membranes. Translocational intermediates of mitochondrial proteins, which span the outer and inner membrane simultaneously and thus suggest that translocation occurs in one step, have recently been described (Schleyer, M., and W. Neupert, 1985, Cell, 43:339-350). In this study we present evidence that distinct membrane areas are involved in the translocation process. Mitochondria that had lost most of their outer membrane by digitonin treatment (mitoplasts) still had the ability to import proteins. Import depended on proteinaceous structures of the residual outer membrane and on a factor that is located between the outer and inner membranes and that could be extracted with detergent plus salt. Translocational intermediates, which had been preformed before fractionation, remained with the mitoplasts under conditions where most of the outer membrane was subsequently removed. Submitochondrial vesicles were isolated in which translocational intermediates were enriched. Immunocytochemical studies also suggested that the translocational intermediates are located in areas where outer and inner membranes are in close proximity. We conclude that the membrane-potential-dependent import of precursor proteins involves translocation contact sites where the two membranes are closely apposed and are linked in a stable manner
Apocytochrome c
The cytochrome c import pathway differs markedly from the general route taken by the majority of other imported proteins, which is characterized by the import involvement of namely, surface receptors, the general insertion protein (GIP), contact sites and by the requirement of a membrane potential (Δψ). Unique features of both the cytochrome c precursor (apocytochrome c) and of the mechanism that transports it into mitochondria, have contributed to the evolution of a distinct import pathway that is not shared by any other mitochondrial protein analysed thus far. The cytochrome c pathway is particularly unique because i) apocytochrome c appears to have spontaneous membrane insertion-activity; ii) cytochrome c heme lyase seems to act as a specific binding site in lieu of a surface receptor and; iii) covalent heme addition and the associated refolding of the polypeptide appears to provide the free energy for the translocation of the cytochrome c polypeptide across the outer mitochondrial membrane
Mitochondrial porin of Neurospora crassa
cDNA encoding porin of Neurospora crassa, the major protein component of the outer mitochondrial membrane, was isolated and the nucleotide sequence was determined. The deduced protein sequence consists of 283 amino acids (29,979 daltons) and shows sequence homology of around 43% to yeast porin; however, no significant homology to bacterial porins was apparent. According to secondary structure predictions, mitochondrial porin consists mainly of membrane-spanning sided beta-sheets. Porin was efficiently synthesized in vitro from the cDNA; this allowed us to study in detail its import into mitochondria. Thereby, three characteristics of import were defined: (i) import depended on the presence of nucleoside triphosphates; (ii) involvement of a proteinaceous receptor-like component on the surface of the mitochondria was demonstrated; (iii) insertion into the outer membrane was resolved into at least two distinct steps: specific binding to high-affinity sites and subsequent assembly to the mature form
Cytosolic protein Vms1 links ribosome quality control to mitochondrial and celluler homeostasis. Izawa and Park et al.
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Specific recognition of mitochondrial preproteins by the cytosolic domain of the import receptor MOM72.
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