scholarly journals Protein translocation channel of mitochondrial inner membrane and matrix-exposed import motor communicate via two-domain coupling protein

eLife ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupa Banerjee ◽  
Christina Gladkova ◽  
Koyeli Mapa ◽  
Gregor Witte ◽  
Dejana Mokranjac

The majority of mitochondrial proteins are targeted to mitochondria by N-terminal presequences and use the TIM23 complex for their translocation across the mitochondrial inner membrane. During import, translocation through the channel in the inner membrane is coupled to the ATP-dependent action of an Hsp70-based import motor at the matrix face. How these two processes are coordinated remained unclear. We show here that the two domain structure of Tim44 plays a central role in this process. The N-terminal domain of Tim44 interacts with the components of the import motor, whereas its C-terminal domain interacts with the translocation channel and is in contact with translocating proteins. Our data suggest that the translocation channel and the import motor of the TIM23 complex communicate through rearrangements of the two domains of Tim44 that are stimulated by translocating proteins.

1994 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Wachter ◽  
G Schatz ◽  
B S Glick

ATP is needed for the import of precursor proteins into mitochondria. However, the role of ATP and its site of action have been unclear. We have now investigated the ATP requirements for protein import into the mitochondrial matrix. These experiments employed an in vitro system that allowed ATP levels to be manipulated both inside and outside the mitochondrial inner membrane. Our results indicate that there are two distinct ATP requirements for mitochondrial protein import. ATP in the matrix is always needed for complete import of precursor proteins into this compartment, even when the precursors are presented to mitochondria in an unfolded conformation. In contrast, the requirement for external ATP is precursor-specific; depletion of external ATP strongly inhibits import of some precursors but has little or no effect with other precursors. A requirement for external ATP can often be overcome by denaturing the precursor with urea. We suggest that external ATP promotes the release of precursors from cytosolic chaperones, whereas matrix ATP drives protein translocation across the inner membrane.


2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 4051-4062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle R. Gallas ◽  
Mary K. Dienhart ◽  
Rosemary A. Stuart ◽  
Roy M. Long

Many mitochondrial proteins are encoded by nuclear genes and after translation in the cytoplasm are imported via translocases in the outer and inner membranes, the TOM and TIM complexes, respectively. Here, we report the characterization of the mitochondrial protein, Mmp37p (YGR046w) and demonstrate its involvement in the process of protein import into mitochondria. Haploid cells deleted of MMP37 are viable but display a temperature-sensitive growth phenotype and are inviable in the absence of mitochondrial DNA. Mmp37p is located in the mitochondrial matrix where it is peripherally associated with the inner membrane. We show that Mmp37p has a role in the translocation of proteins across the mitochondrial inner membrane via the TIM23-PAM complex and further demonstrate that substrates containing a tightly folded domain in close proximity to their mitochondrial targeting sequences display a particular dependency on Mmp37p for mitochondrial import. Prior unfolding of the preprotein, or extension of the region between the targeting signal and the tightly folded domain, relieves their dependency for Mmp37p. Furthermore, evidence is presented to show that Mmp37 may affect the assembly state of the TIM23 complex. On the basis of these findings, we hypothesize that the presence of Mmp37p enhances the early stages of the TIM23 matrix import pathway to ensure engagement of incoming preproteins with the mtHsp70p/PAM complex, a step that is necessary to drive the unfolding and complete translocation of the preprotein into the matrix.


1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1873-1881
Author(s):  
S M Glaser ◽  
B R Miller ◽  
M G Cumsky

We have examined the import and intramitochondrial localization of the precursor to yeast cytochrome c oxidase subunit Va, a protein of the mitochondrial inner membrane. The results of studies on the import of subunit Va derivatives carrying altered presequences suggest that the uptake of this protein is highly efficient. We found that a presequence of only 5 amino acids (Met-Leu-Ser-Leu-Arg) could direct the import and localization of subunit Va with wild-type efficiency, as judged by several different assays. We also found that subunit Va could be effectively targeted to the mitochondrial inner membrane with a heterologous presequence that failed to direct import of its cognate protein. The results presented here confirmed those of an earlier study and showed clearly that the information required to "sort" subunit Va to the inner membrane resides in the mature protein sequence, not within the presequence per se. We present additional evidence that the aforementioned sorting information is contained, at least in part, in a hydrophobic stretch of 22 amino acids residing within the C-terminal third of the protein. Removal of this domain caused subunit Va to be mislocalized to the mitochondrial matrix.


2001 ◽  
Vol 114 (21) ◽  
pp. 3915-3921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan J. Kerscher ◽  
Andrea Eschemann ◽  
Pamela M. Okun ◽  
Ulrich Brandt

Alternative NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductases are single subunit enzymes capable of transferring electrons from NADH to ubiquinone without contributing to the proton gradient across the respiratory membrane. The obligately aerobic yeast Yarrowia lipolytica has only one such enzyme, encoded by the NDH2 gene and located on the external face of the mitochondrial inner membrane. In sharp contrast to ndh2 deletions, deficiencies in nuclear genes for central subunits of proton pumping NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductases (complex I) are lethal. We have redirected NDH2 to the internal face of the mitochondrial inner membrane by N-terminally attaching the mitochondrial targeting sequence of NUAM, the largest subunit of complex I. Lethality of complex I mutations was rescued by the internal, but not the external version of alternative NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase. Internal NDH2 also permitted growth in the presence of complex I inhibitors such as 2-decyl-4-quinazolinyl amine (DQA). Functional expression of NDH2 on both sides of the mitochondrial inner membrane indicates that alternative NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase requires no additional components for catalytic activity. Our findings also demonstrate that shuttle mechanisms for the transfer of redox equivalents from the matrix to the cytosolic side of the mitochondrial inner membrane are insufficient in Y. lipolytica.


1991 ◽  
Vol 278 (3) ◽  
pp. 715-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
A P Halestrap

1. The rate of opening of the Ca(2+)-induced non-specific, cyclosporin A-inhibited, pore of the mitochondrial inner membrane of rat heart and liver mitochondria at pH 6.0 was less than 10% of that at pH 7.4. 2. The effect could not be explained by inhibition of Ca2+ uptake into the mitochondria, or of the matrix peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase), or of the Ca(2+)-induced conformational change of the adenine nucleotide translocase. 3. It is suggested that the proposed interaction of matrix PPIase with the ‘c’ conformation of the adenine nucleotide carrier in the presence of Ca2+ [Griffiths & Halestrap (1991) Biochem. J. 274, 611-614] is inhibited by low pH. 4. The relevance of this to the protective effect of low pH on hypoxic and chemical-induced cell damage is discussed.


1999 ◽  
Vol 145 (5) ◽  
pp. 961-972 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessio Merlin ◽  
Wolfgang Voos ◽  
Ammy C. Maarse ◽  
Michiel Meijer ◽  
Nikolaus Pfanner ◽  
...  

Tim44 is a protein of the mitochondrial inner membrane and serves as an adaptor protein for mtHsp70 that drives the import of preproteins in an ATP-dependent manner. In this study we have modified the interaction of Tim44 with mtHsp70 and characterized the consequences for protein translocation. By deletion of an 18-residue segment of Tim44 with limited similarity to J-proteins, the binding of Tim44 to mtHsp70 was weakened. We found that in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae the deletion of this segment is lethal. To investigate the role of the 18-residue segment, we expressed Tim44Δ18 in addition to the endogenous wild-type Tim44. Tim44Δ18 is correctly targeted to mitochondria and assembles in the inner membrane import site. The coexpression of Tim44Δ18 together with wild-type Tim44, however, does not stimulate protein import, but reduces its efficiency. In particular, the promotion of unfolding of preproteins during translocation is inhibited. mtHsp70 is still able to bind to Tim44Δ18 in an ATP-regulated manner, but the efficiency of interaction is reduced. These results suggest that the J-related segment of Tim44 is needed for productive interaction with mtHsp70. The efficient cooperation of mtHsp70 with Tim44 facilitates the translocation of loosely folded preproteins and plays a crucial role in the import of preproteins which contain a tightly folded domain.


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