Import of mitochondrial carriers mediated by essential proteins of the intermembrane space

Science. 1998 Jan 16;279(5349):369-73. doi: 10.1126/science.279.5349.369.

Abstract

In order to reach the inner membrane of the mitochondrion, multispanning carrier proteins must cross the aqueous intermembrane space. Two essential proteins of that space, Tim10p and Tim12p, were shown to mediate import of multispanning carriers into the inner membrane. Both proteins formed a complex with the inner membrane protein Tim22p. Tim10p readily dissociated from the complex and was required to transport carrier precursors across the outer membrane; Tim12p was firmly bound to Tim22p and mediated the insertion of carriers into the inner membrane. Neither protein was required for protein import into the other mitochondrial compartments. Both proteins may function as intermembrane space chaperones for the highly insoluble carrier proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Genes, Fungal
  • Hot Temperature
  • Intracellular Membranes / metabolism*
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial ADP, ATP Translocases / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Precursor Protein Import Complex Proteins
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Chaperones / metabolism
  • Mutagenesis
  • Phosphate-Binding Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / metabolism
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins*
  • Solubility

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Precursor Protein Import Complex Proteins
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Phosphate-Binding Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • TIM10 protein, S cerevisiae
  • TIM12 protein, S cerevisiae
  • TIM22 protein, S cerevisiae
  • Mitochondrial ADP, ATP Translocases