scholarly journals Protein Import Channel of the Outer Mitochondrial Membrane: a Highly Stable Tom40-Tom22 Core Structure Differentially Interacts with Preproteins, Small Tom Proteins, and Import Receptors

2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2337-2348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Meisinger ◽  
Michael T. Ryan ◽  
Kerstin Hill ◽  
Kirstin Model ◽  
Joo Hyun Lim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Outer Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Mitochondrial Outer Membrane ◽  
Stable Complex ◽  
Intermembrane Space ◽  
Import Receptors ◽  
Conductance States ◽  
Coupled Channel

ABSTRACT The preprotein translocase of the yeast mitochondrial outer membrane (TOM) consists of the initial import receptors Tom70 and Tom20 and a ∼400-kDa (400 K) general import pore (GIP) complex that includes the central receptor Tom22, the channel Tom40, and the three small Tom proteins Tom7, Tom6, and Tom5. We report that the GIP complex is a highly stable complex with an unusual resistance to urea and alkaline pH. Under mild conditions for mitochondrial lysis, the receptor Tom20, but not Tom70, is quantitatively associated with the GIP complex, forming a 500K to 600K TOM complex. A preprotein, stably arrested in the GIP complex, is released by urea but not high salt, indicating that ionic interactions are not essential for keeping the preprotein in the GIP complex. Under more stringent detergent conditions, however, Tom20 and all three small Tom proteins are released, while the preprotein remains in the GIP complex. Moreover, purified outer membrane vesicles devoid of translocase components of the intermembrane space and inner membrane efficiently accumulate the preprotein in the GIP complex. Together, Tom40 and Tom22 thus represent the functional core unit that stably holds accumulated preproteins. The GIP complex isolated from outer membranes exhibits characteristic TOM channel activity with two coupled conductance states, each corresponding to the activity of purified Tom40, suggesting that the complex contains two simultaneously active and coupled channel pores.

Application of cryo-electron microscopy for investigation of Bax-induced pores in apoptosis

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Tomomi Kuwana
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Experimental System ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Outer Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Mitochondrial Outer Membrane ◽  
Intermembrane Space ◽  
Mitochondrial Outer Membrane Permeabilization ◽  
Cryo Electron Microscopy

AbstractMitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) is a critical step in apoptosis, the molecular mechanisms of which have been a subject of intensive study. This process is important for therapeutic intervention in various diseases, such as cancer. Pro-apoptotic Bax and Bak are functionally redundant and structurally homologous. When activated at the mitochondrial outer membrane, they cause the membrane to permeabilize and release apoptogenic proteins from the intermembrane space. To unravel the molecular mechanisms of this unique and important event, we systematically reduced the experimental system. Simple outer membrane vesicles and liposomes recapitulated many features of MOMP. Although conventional transmission electron microscopy could not detect any membrane changes during MOMP in these vesicles, cryo-electron microscopy successfully revealed Bax-induced delicate pores, owing to its ability to preserve native, hydrated membrane structure. The data are consistent with the idea that Bax is unfolded and embedded in the bilayer and deforms the membrane to form a large pore. Together with the biochemical and structure data in the literature, we now have more comprehensive models of the key function of Bax. We hope that new tools, such as lipid nanodiscs, will give us an atomic-level resolution and finally solve Bax structure in the membrane, where it functions.

scholarly journals Evolution of mitochondrial protein import – lessons from trypanosomes

2020 ◽  
Vol 401 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 663-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Outer Membrane Proteins ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Intermembrane Space ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein Import ◽  
System A ◽  
Import Receptors ◽  
Inner Membrane Protein

AbstractThe evolution of mitochondrial protein import and the systems that mediate it marks the boundary between the endosymbiotic ancestor of mitochondria and a true organelle that is under the control of the nucleus. Protein import has been studied in great detail in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. More recently, it has also been extensively investigated in the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei, making it arguably the second best studied system. A comparative analysis of the protein import complexes of yeast and trypanosomes is provided. Together with data from other systems, this allows to reconstruct the ancestral features of import complexes that were present in the last eukaryotic common ancestor (LECA) and to identify which subunits were added later in evolution. How these data can be translated into plausible scenarios is discussed, providing insights into the evolution of (i) outer membrane protein import receptors, (ii) proteins involved in biogenesis of α-helically anchored outer membrane proteins, and (iii) of the intermembrane space import and assembly system. Finally, it is shown that the unusual presequence-associated import motor of trypanosomes suggests a scenario of how the two ancestral inner membrane protein translocases present in LECA evolved into the single bifunctional one found in extant trypanosomes.

scholarly journals Role of the intermembrane-space domain of the preprotein receptor Tom22 in protein import into mitochondria.

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 4035-4042 ◽  
Author(s):  
D A Court ◽  
F E Nargang ◽  
H Steiner ◽  
R S Hodges ◽  
W Neupert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Mitochondrial Outer Membrane ◽  
Intermembrane Space ◽  
Inner Membrane ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Tom Complex

Tom22 is an essential component of the protein translocation complex (Tom complex) of the mitochondrial outer membrane. The N-terminal domain of Tom22 functions as a preprotein receptor in cooperation with Tom20. The role of the C-terminal domain of Tom22, which is exposed to the intermembrane space (IMS), in its own assembly into the Tom complex and in the import of other preproteins was investigated. The C-terminal domain of Tom22 is not essential for the targeting and assembly of this protein, as constructs lacking part or all of the IMS domain became imported into mitochondria and assembled into the Tom complex. Mutant strains of Neurospora expressing the truncated Tom22 proteins were generated by a novel procedure. These mutants displayed wild-type growth rates, in contrast to cells lacking Tom22, which are not viable. The import of proteins into the outer membrane and the IMS of isolated mutant mitochondria was not affected. Some but not all preproteins destined for the matrix and inner membrane were imported less efficiently. The reduced import was not due to impaired interaction of presequences with their specific binding site on the trans side of the outer membrane. Rather, the IMS domain of Tom22 appears to slightly enhance the efficiency of the transfer of these preproteins to the import machinery of the inner membrane.

scholarly journals Mutant huntingtin does not cross the mitochondrial outer membrane

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (17) ◽  
pp. 2962-2975
Author(s):  
James Hamilton ◽  
Tatiana Brustovetsky ◽  
Rajesh Khanna ◽  
Nickolay Brustovetsky
Keyword(s):  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Alkali Treatment ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Postmortem Brain ◽  
Mitochondrial Outer Membrane ◽  
Intermembrane Space ◽  
Mutant Huntingtin ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein Import ◽  
Brain Tissues

Abstract Mutant huntingtin (mHTT) is associated with mitochondria, but the exact mitochondrial location of mHTT has not been definitively established. Recently, it was reported that mHTT is present in the intermembrane space and inhibits mitochondrial protein import by interacting with TIM23, a major component of mitochondrial protein import machinery, but evidence for functional ramifications were not provided. We assessed mHTT location using synaptic and nonsynaptic mitochondria isolated from brains of YAC128 mice and subjected to alkali treatment or limited trypsin digestion. Mitochondria were purified either with discontinuous Percoll gradient or with anti-TOM22-conjugated iron microbeads. We also used mitochondria isolated from postmortem brain tissues of unaffected individuals and HD patients. Our results demonstrate that mHTT is located on the cytosolic side of the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) but does not cross it. This refutes the hypothesis that mHTT may interact with TIM23 and inhibit mitochondrial protein import. The levels of expression of nuclear-encoded, TIM23-transported mitochondrial proteins ACO2, TUFM, IDH3A, CLPP and mitochondrially encoded and synthesized protein mtCO1 were similar in mitochondria from YAC128 mice and their wild-type littermates as well as in mitochondria from postmortem brain tissues of unaffected individuals and HD patients, supporting the lack of deficit in mitochondrial protein import. Regardless of purification technique, mitochondria from YAC128 and WT mice had similar respiratory activities and mitochondrial membrane potentials. Thus, our data argue against mHTT crossing the MOM and entering into the mitochondrial intermembrane space, making it highly unlikely that mHTT interacts with TIM23 and inhibits protein import in intact mitochondria.

scholarly journals tRNAs and proteins use the same import channel for translocation across the mitochondrial outer membrane of trypanosomes

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (37) ◽  
pp. E7679-E7687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moritz Niemann ◽  
Anke Harsman ◽  
Jan Mani ◽  
Christian D. Peikert ◽  
Silke Oeljeklaus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Mitochondrial Outer Membrane ◽  
Trna Genes ◽  
Intermembrane Space ◽  
Mitochondrial Trna ◽  
Trna Import ◽  
Single Channel Currents

Mitochondrial tRNA import is widespread, but the mechanism by which tRNAs are imported remains largely unknown. The mitochondrion of the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei lacks tRNA genes, and thus imports all tRNAs from the cytosol. Here we show that in T. brucei in vivo import of tRNAs requires four subunits of the mitochondrial outer membrane protein translocase but not the two receptor subunits, one of which is essential for protein import. The latter shows that it is possible to uncouple mitochondrial tRNA import from protein import. Ablation of the intermembrane space domain of the translocase subunit, archaic translocase of the outer membrane (ATOM)14, on the other hand, while not affecting the architecture of the translocase, impedes both protein and tRNA import. A protein import intermediate arrested in the translocation channel prevents both protein and tRNA import. In the presence of tRNA, blocking events of single-channel currents through the pore formed by recombinant ATOM40 were detected in electrophysiological recordings. These results indicate that both types of macromolecules use the same import channel across the outer membrane. However, while tRNA import depends on the core subunits of the protein import translocase, it does not require the protein import receptors, indicating that the two processes are not mechanistically linked.

scholarly journals Comparison of the degradative fate of monoamine oxidase in endogenous and transplanted mitochondrial outer membrane in rat hepatocytes. Implications for the cytomorphological basis of protein catabolism

1984 ◽  
Vol 219 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
P J Evans ◽  
R J Mayer
Keyword(s):  
Monoamine Oxidase ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Fluorescein Isothiocyanate ◽  
Rat Hepatocytes ◽  
Similar Rate ◽  
Outer Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Mitochondrial Outer Membrane ◽  
Protein Catabolism

The degradative fate of monoamine oxidase in endogenous and transplanted mitochondrial outer membrane has been compared in rat hepatocyte monolayers. Monoamine oxidase was specifically irreversibly radiolabelled by the suicide inhibitor [3H]pargyline. Hepatocyte monolayers were cultured in conditions in which rates of protein catabolism like those in vivo are maintained [Evans & Mayer (1983) Biochem. J. 216, 151-161]. Incubation of hepatocyte monolayers for 17 h with [3H]pargyline specifically radiolabels mitochondrial monoamine oxidase, as shown by Percoll-gradient fractionation of broken hepatocytes. Monoamine oxidase is degraded at a similar rate to that observed in liver in vivo (t1/2 approx. 63 h). The effects of leupeptin, methylamine and colchicine on the degradation of endogenous radiolabelled enzyme has been studied over prolonged culture periods. Culture of hepatocytes for periods of up to 80 h with inhibitors was not cytotoxic, as demonstrated by measurements of several intrinsic biochemical parameters. Leupeptin, methylamine and colchicine inhibit the degradation of endogenous monoamine oxidase by 60, 38 and 18% respectively. Monoamine oxidase in mitochondrial-outer-membrane vesicles introduced into hepatocytes by poly(ethylene glycol)-mediated vesicle-cell transplantation is degraded at a similar rate (t1/2 55 h) to the endogenous mitochondrial enzyme. Whereas leupeptin inhibits the degradation of endogenous and transplanted enzyme to a similar extent, methylamine and colchicine inhibit the degradation of transplanted enzyme to a much greater extent (85 and 56% respectively). Fluorescence microscopy (with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated mitochondrial outer membrane) shows that transplanted mitochondrial outer membrane undergoes internalization and translocation to a sided perinuclear site, as observed previously with whole mitochondria [Evans & Mayer (1983) Biochem. J. 216, 151-161]. The effects of the inhibitors on the distribution of transplanted membrane material in the cell and inhibition of proteolysis show the importance of cytomorphology for intracellular protein catabolism.

scholarly journals A novel insertion pathway of mitochondrial outer membrane proteins with multiple transmembrane segments

2007 ◽  
Vol 179 (7) ◽  
pp. 1355-1363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hidenori Otera ◽  
Yohsuke Taira ◽  
Chika Horie ◽  
Yurina Suzuki ◽  
Hiroyuki Suzuki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Outer Membrane Proteins ◽  
Benzodiazepine Receptor ◽  
Mitochondrial Outer Membrane ◽  
Intermembrane Space ◽  
Transmembrane Segments ◽  
Import Receptors ◽  
Mitochondrial Intermembrane Space

The central channel Tom40 of the preprotein translocase of outer membrane (TOM) complex is thought to be responsible for the import of virtually all preproteins synthesized outside the mitochondria. In this study, we analyze the topogenesis of the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR), which integrates into the mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) through five hydrophobic transmembrane segments (TMSs) and functions in cholesterol import into the inner membrane. Analyses of in vitro and in vivo import into TOM component–depleted mitochondria reveal that PBR import (1) depends on the import receptor Tom70 but requires neither the Tom20 and Tom22 import receptors nor the import channel Tom40, (2) shares the post-Tom70 pathway with the C-tail–anchored proteins, and (3) requires factors of the mitochondrial intermembrane space. Furthermore, membrane integration of mitofusins and mitochondrial ubiquitin ligase, the MOM proteins with two and four TMSs, respectively, proceeds through the same initial pathway. These findings reveal a previously unidentified pathway of the membrane integration of MOM proteins with multiple TMSs.

scholarly journals Degradation of transplanted mitochondrial proteins by hepatocyte monolayers

1983 ◽  
Vol 216 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
P J Evans ◽  
R J Mayer
Keyword(s):  
Acid Phosphatase ◽  
Monoamine Oxidase ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Outer Membrane Proteins ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Outer Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Mitochondrial Proteins ◽  
Mitochondrial Outer Membrane ◽  
Lag Period

Reductively [3H]methylated rat mitochondria and mitochondrial-outer-membrane vesicles and mitochondrial-outer-membrane vesicles where monoamine oxidase is irreversibly labelled by [3H]pargyline have been transplanted into hepatocytes by poly(ethylene glycol)-mediated organelle or organelle-vesicle cell fusion. During subsequent culture of hepatocyte monolayers for 4-5 days, under conditions which mimic endogenous catabolic rates in vivo the transplanted organelle proteins retain their degradation characteristics observed in vivo (e.g. mitochondria: average t 1/2 72.5 h; monoamine oxidase: t1/2 55 h). In all cases protein degradation with first-order kinetics is only observed after an initial lag period (i.e. 24-30 h after fusion). Transplantation of fluorescein-conjugated organelles showed that the fluorescent material is rapidly internalized (average t1/2 1-6 h) and uniformly distributed in the cytoplasm. During a subsequent 18-24 h period (which corresponds to the lag period for intracellular destruction of transplanted mitochondrial material) the transplanted material is translocated to assume a perinuclear distribution. The destruction of transplanted mitochondrial proteins is compared with endogenous mitoribosomally synthesized proteins (average t1/2 52.5 h). Percoll fractionation of cell homogenates containing transplanted mitochondrial outer membranes where the enzyme monoamine oxidase is irreversibly labelled with [3H]pargyline shows a distribution of enzyme similar to lysosomal acid phosphatase. After transplantation of reductively methylated 3H-labelled mitochondrial-outer-membrane vesicles the cells were treated with leupeptin to alter lysosomal density. This treatment leads to the predominant association of acid phosphatase with dense structures, whereas the 3H-labelled transplanted material predominantly does not change density. Therefore transplanted mitochondrial-outer-membrane proteins are found in intracellular vesicular structures from which the proteins are donated for destruction, at least in part, by a lysosomal mechanism.

scholarly journals The intermembrane space domain of mitochondrial Tom22 functions as a trans binding site for preproteins with N-terminal targeting sequences.

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 6574-6584 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Moczko ◽  
U Bömer ◽  
M Kübrich ◽  
N Zufall ◽  
A Hönlinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Binding Site ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Intermembrane Space ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein Import ◽  
Cytosolic Domains ◽  
Import Receptors ◽  
Cis And Trans

Mitochondrial protein import is thought to involve the sequential interaction of preproteins with binding sites on cis and trans sides of the membranes. For translocation across the outer membrane, preproteins first interact with the cytosolic domains of import receptors (cis) and then are translocated through a general import pore, in a process proposed to involve binding to a trans site on the intermembrane space (IMS) side. Controversial results have been reported for the role of the IMS domain of the essential outer membrane protein Tom22 in formation of the trans site. We show with different mutant mitochondria that a lack of the IMS domain only moderately reduces the direct import of preproteins with N-terminal targeting sequences. The dependence of import on the IMS domain of Tom22 is significantly enhanced by removing the cytosolic domains of import receptors or by performing import in two steps, i.e., accumulation of a preprotein at the outer membrane in the absence of a membrane potential (delta psi) and subsequent import after reestablishment of a delta psi. After the removal of cytosolic receptor domains, two-step import of a cleavable preprotein strictly requires the IMS domain. In contrast, preproteins with internal targeting information do not depend on the IMS domain of Tom22. We conclude that the negatively charged IMS domain of Tom22 functions as a trans binding site for preproteins with N-terminal targeting sequences, in agreement with the acid chain hypothesis of mitochondrial protein import.

scholarly journals Translocation and insertion of precursor proteins into isolated outer membranes of mitochondria.

1993 ◽  
Vol 121 (6) ◽  
pp. 1233-1243 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Mayer ◽  
R Lill ◽  
W Neupert
Keyword(s):  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Protein Transport ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Outer Membrane Proteins ◽  
Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Outer Membrane Vesicles ◽  
Intermembrane Space ◽  
Inner Membrane ◽  
Surface Receptors ◽  
Outer Membranes

Nuclear-encoded proteins destined for mitochondria must cross the outer or both outer and inner membranes to reach their final sub-mitochondrial locations. While the inner membrane can translocate preproteins by itself, it is not known whether the outer membrane also contains an endogenous protein translocation activity which can function independently of the inner membrane. To selectively study the protein transport into and across the outer membrane of Neurospora crassa mitochondria, outer membrane vesicles were isolated which were sealed, in a right-side-out orientation, and virtually free of inner membranes. The vesicles were functional in the insertion and assembly of various outer membrane proteins such as porin, MOM19, and MOM22. Like with intact mitochondria, import into isolated outer membranes was dependent on protease-sensitive surface receptors and led to correct folding and membrane integration. The vesicles were also capable of importing a peripheral component of the inner membrane, cytochrome c heme lyase (CCHL), in a receptor-dependent fashion. Thus, the protein translocation machinery of the outer mitochondrial membrane can function as an independent entity which recognizes, inserts, and translocates mitochondrial preproteins of the outer membrane and the intermembrane space. In contrast, proteins which have to be translocated into or across the inner membrane were only specifically bound to the vesicles, but not imported. This suggests that transport of such proteins involves the participation of components of the intermembrane space and/or the inner membrane, and that in these cases the outer membrane translocation machinery has to act in concert with that of the inner membrane.

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