scholarly journals Targeting and Insertion of Membrane Proteins in Mitochondria

Author(s):  
Ross Eaglesfield ◽  
Kostas Tokatlidis

Mitochondrial membrane proteins play an essential role in all major mitochondrial functions. The respiratory complexes of the inner membrane are key for the generation of energy. The carrier proteins for the influx/efflux of essential metabolites to/from the matrix. Many other inner membrane proteins play critical roles in the import and processing of nuclear encoded proteins (∼99% of all mitochondrial proteins). The outer membrane provides another lipidic barrier to nuclear-encoded protein translocation and is home to many proteins involved in the import process, maintenance of ionic balance, as well as the assembly of outer membrane components. While many aspects of the import and assembly pathways of mitochondrial membrane proteins have been elucidated, many open questions remain, especially surrounding the assembly of the respiratory complexes where certain highly hydrophobic subunits are encoded by the mitochondrial DNA and synthesised and inserted into the membrane from the matrix side. This review will examine the various assembly pathways for inner and outer mitochondrial membrane proteins while discussing the most recent structural and biochemical data examining the biogenesis process.

2008 ◽  
Vol 190 (10) ◽  
pp. 3505-3525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Baars ◽  
Samuel Wagner ◽  
David Wickström ◽  
Mirjam Klepsch ◽  
A. Jimmy Ytterberg ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The Sec translocon is a protein-conducting channel that allows polypeptides to be transferred across or integrated into a membrane. Although protein translocation and insertion in Escherichia coli have been studied using only a small set of specific model substrates, it is generally assumed that most secretory proteins and inner membrane proteins use the Sec translocon. Therefore, we have studied the role of the Sec translocon using subproteome analysis of cells depleted of the essential translocon component SecE. The steady-state proteomes and the proteome dynamics were evaluated using one- and two-dimensional gel analysis, followed by mass spectrometry-based protein identification and extensive immunoblotting. The analysis showed that upon SecE depletion (i) secretory proteins aggregated in the cytoplasm and the cytoplasmic σ32 stress response was induced, (ii) the accumulation of outer membrane proteins was reduced, with the exception of OmpA, Pal, and FadL, and (iii) the accumulation of a surprisingly large number of inner membrane proteins appeared to be unaffected or increased. These proteins lacked large translocated domains and/or consisted of only one or two transmembrane segments. Our study suggests that several secretory and inner membrane proteins can use Sec translocon-independent pathways or have superior access to the remaining Sec translocons present in SecE-depleted cells.


2005 ◽  
Vol 170 (6) ◽  
pp. 881-888 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Meier ◽  
Walter Neupert ◽  
Johannes M. Herrmann

Most inner membrane proteins of mitochondria are synthesized in the cytosol and reach the inner membrane using one of two alternative sorting pathways. On the stop transfer route, proteins are arrested during import at the level of the inner membrane. The conservative sorting pathway involves translocation through the inner membrane and insertion from the matrix. It is unclear how the translocase of the inner membrane 23 protein translocation machinery differentiates between the two classes of proteins. Here we show that proline residues in hydrophobic stretches strongly disfavor the translocation arrest of transmembrane domains (TMDs) and favor the transfer of preproteins to the matrix. We propose that proline residues, together with the hydrophobicity of the TMD and the presence of charged residues COOH-terminally flanking the TMD, are determinants of the intramitochondrial sorting of inner membrane proteins.


2020 ◽  
Vol 401 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 709-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvie Callegari ◽  
Luis Daniel Cruz-Zaragoza ◽  
Peter Rehling

AbstractMitochondrial precursor proteins with amino-terminal presequences are imported via the presequence pathway, utilizing the TIM23 complex for inner membrane translocation. Initially, the precursors pass the outer membrane through the TOM complex and are handed over to the TIM23 complex where they are sorted into the inner membrane or translocated into the matrix. This handover process depends on the receptor proteins at the inner membrane, Tim50 and Tim23, which are critical for efficient import. In this review, we summarize key findings that shaped the current concepts of protein translocation along the presequence import pathway, with a particular focus on the precursor handover process from TOM to the TIM23 complex. In addition, we discuss functions of the human TIM23 pathway and the recently uncovered pathogenic mutations in TIM50.


2004 ◽  
Vol 166 (5) ◽  
pp. 621-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daigo Ishikawa ◽  
Hayashi Yamamoto ◽  
Yasushi Tamura ◽  
Kaori Moritoh ◽  
Toshiya Endo

Mitochondrial outer and inner membranes contain translocators that achieve protein translocation across and/or insertion into the membranes. Recent evidence has shown that mitochondrial β-barrel protein assembly in the outer membrane requires specific translocator proteins in addition to the components of the general translocator complex in the outer membrane, the TOM40 complex. Here we report two novel mitochondrial outer membrane proteins in yeast, Tom13 and Tom38/Sam35, that mediate assembly of mitochondrial β-barrel proteins, Tom40, and/or porin in the outer membrane. Depletion of Tom13 or Tom38/Sam35 affects assembly pathways of the β-barrel proteins differently, suggesting that they mediate different steps of the complex assembly processes of β-barrel proteins in the outer membrane.


2001 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 431-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Langer ◽  
M. Käser ◽  
C. Klanner ◽  
K. Leonhard

An ubiquitous and conserved proteolytic system regulates the stability of mitochondrial inner membrane proteins. Two AAA proteases with catalytic sites at opposite membrane surfaces form a membrane-integrated quality control system and exert crucial functions during the biogenesis of mitochondria. Their activity is modulated by another membrane-protein complex that is composed of prohibitins. Peptides generated upon proteolysis in the matrix space are transported across the inner membrane by an ATP-binding cassette transporter. The function of these conserved components is discussed in the present review.


1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 4035-4042 ◽  
Author(s):  
D A Court ◽  
F E Nargang ◽  
H Steiner ◽  
R S Hodges ◽  
W Neupert ◽  
...  

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.


1997 ◽  
Vol 139 (7) ◽  
pp. 1677-1685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei Kouranov ◽  
Danny J. Schnell

We have investigated the interactions of two nuclear-encoded preproteins with the chloroplast protein import machinery at three stages in import using a label-transfer crosslinking approach. During energy-independent binding at the outer envelope membrane, preproteins interact with three known components of the outer membrane translocon complex, Toc34, Toc75, and Toc86. Although Toc75 and Toc86 are known to associate with preproteins during import, a role for Toc34 in preprotein binding previously had not been observed. The interaction of Toc34 with preproteins is regulated by the binding, but not hydrolysis of GTP. These data provide the first evidence for a direct role for Toc34 in import, and provide insights into the function of GTP as a regulator of preprotein recognition. Toc75 and Toc86 are the major targets of cross-linking upon insertion of preproteins across the outer envelope membrane, supporting the proposal that both proteins function in translocation at the outer membrane as well as preprotein recognition. The inner membrane proteins, Tic(21) and Tic22, and a previously unidentified protein of 14 kD are the major targets of crosslinking during the late stages in import. These data provide additional support for the roles of these components during protein translocation across the inner membrane. Our results suggest a defined sequence of molecular interactions that result in the transport of nuclear-encoded preproteins from the cytoplasm into the stroma of chloroplasts.


2009 ◽  
Vol 184 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasushi Tamura ◽  
Yoshihiro Harada ◽  
Takuya Shiota ◽  
Koji Yamano ◽  
Kazuaki Watanabe ◽  
...  

Mitochondrial protein traffic requires coordinated operation of protein translocator complexes in the mitochondrial membrane. The TIM23 complex translocates and inserts proteins into the mitochondrial inner membrane. Here we analyze the intermembrane space (IMS) domains of Tim23 and Tim50, which are essential subunits of the TIM23 complex, in these functions. We find that interactions of Tim23 and Tim50 in the IMS facilitate transfer of precursor proteins from the TOM40 complex, a general protein translocator in the outer membrane, to the TIM23 complex. Tim23–Tim50 interactions also facilitate a late step of protein translocation across the inner membrane by promoting motor functions of mitochondrial Hsp70 in the matrix. Therefore, the Tim23–Tim50 pair coordinates the actions of the TOM40 and TIM23 complexes together with motor proteins for mitochondrial protein import.


mBio ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Grabowicz ◽  
Daria Koren ◽  
Thomas J. Silhavy

ABSTRACT The promoter most strongly induced upon activation of the Cpx two-component envelope stress response is the cpxP promoter. The 3′ untranscribed region (UTR) of the cpxP transcript is shown to produce a small RNA (sRNA), CpxQ. We investigated the role of CpxQ in combating envelope stress. Remarkably, the two effectors specified by the transcript are deployed to combat distinct stresses in different cellular compartments. CpxP acts in both a regulatory negative-feedback loop and as an effector that combats periplasmic protein misfolding. We find that CpxQ combats toxicity at the inner membrane (IM) by downregulating the synthesis of the periplasmic chaperone Skp. Our data indicate that this regulation prevents Skp from inserting β-barrel outer membrane proteins (OMPs) into the IM, a lethal event that likely collapses the proton motive force. Our findings suggest that Skp can fold and directly insert OMPs into a lipid bilayer in vivo without the aid of the Bam complex. IMPORTANCE Skp is a well-characterized periplasmic chaperone that binds unfolded OMPs. Surprisingly, we find that Skp can catalyze the folding and mistargeting of OMPs into the inner membrane without the aid of the other cellular proteins that normally assemble OMPs. Several OMPs function as diffusion pores. Accordingly, their mistargeting is lethal because it depolarizes the inner membrane. We show that the most highly expressed transcript of the Cpx stress response produces an sRNA from the 3′ UTR, CpxQ, which combats this potential toxicity by downregulating Skp production. Defects in OMP assembly trigger the σ E response to upregulate factors, including Skp, that promote OMP folding. The Cpx response downregulates σ E . Our findings reveal that this heretofore puzzling hierarchy exists to protect the inner membrane.


2005 ◽  
Vol 171 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doron Rapaport

A multisubunit translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane (TOM complex) mediates both the import of mitochondrial precursor proteins into the internal compartments of the organelle and the insertion of proteins residing in the mitochondrial outer membrane. The proposed β-barrel structure of Tom40, the pore-forming component of the translocase, raises the question of how the apparent uninterrupted β-barrel topology can be compatible with a role of Tom40 in releasing membrane proteins into the lipid core of the bilayer. In this review, I discuss insertion mechanisms of proteins into the outer membrane and present alternative models based on the opening of a multisubunit β-barrel TOM structure or on the interaction of outer membrane precursors with the outer face of the Tom40 β-barrel structure.


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