Versatility of Preprotein Transfer from the Cytosol to Mitochondria

Conserved quality control mechanisms of mitochondrial protein import

Mitochondria carry out essential functions for the cell, including energy production, various biosynthesis pathways, formation of co-factors and cellular signalling in apoptosis and inflammation. The functionality of mitochondria requires the import of about 900-1300 proteins from the cytosol in baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and human cells, respectively. The vast majority of these proteins pass the outer membrane in a largely unfolded state through the translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane (TOM) complex. Subsequently, specific protein translocases sort the precursor proteins into the outer and inner membranes, the intermembrane space and matrix. Premature folding of mitochondrial precursor proteins, defects in the mitochondrial protein translocases or a reduction of the membrane potential across the inner mitochondrial membrane can cause stalling of precursors at the protein import apparatus. Consequently, the translocon is clogged and non-imported precursor proteins accumulate in the cell, which in turn leads to proteotoxic stress and eventually cell death. To prevent such stress situations, quality control mechanisms remove non-imported precursor proteins from the TOM channel. The highly conserved ubiquitin-proteasome system of the cytosol plays a critical role in this process. Thus, the surveillance of protein import via the TOM complex involves the coordinated activity of mitochondria-localized and cytosolic proteins to prevent proteotoxic stress in the cell.

Mapping of cytosol-facing organelle outer membrane proximity proteome by proximity-dependent biotinylation in living Arabidopsis cells

The cytosol-facing outer membrane (OM) of organelles communicates with other cellular compartments to exchange proteins, metabolites, and signaling molecules. Cellular surveillance systems also target OM-resident proteins to control organellar homeostasis and ensure cell survival under stress. However, the OM proximity proteomes have never been mapped in plant cells since using traditional approaches to discover OM proteins and identify their dynamically interacting partners remains challenging. In this study, we developed an OM proximity labeling (OMPL) system using biotin ligase-mediated proximity biotinylation to identify the proximity proteins of the OMs of mitochondria, chloroplasts, and peroxisomes in living Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) cells. Using this approach, we mapped the OM proximity proteome of these three organelles under normal conditions and examined the effects of the ultraviolet-B (UV-B) or high light (HL) stress on the abundances of OM proximity proteins. We demonstrate the power of this system with the discovery of cytosolic factors and OM receptor candidates potentially involved in local protein translation and translocation. The candidate proteins that are involved in mitochondrion-peroxisome, mitochondrion-chloroplast, or peroxisome-chloroplast contacts, and in the organellar quality control system are also proposed based on OMPL analysis. OMPL-generated OM proximity proteomes are valuable sources of candidates for functional validation and suggest directions for further investigation of important questions in cell biology.

Triaging of α-helical proteins to the mitochondrial outer membrane by distinct chaperone machinery based on substrate topology

Mitochondrial outer membrane ⍺-helical proteins play critical roles in mitochondrial-cytoplasmic communication, but the rules governing the targeting and insertion of these biophysically diverse proteins remain unknown. Here, we first defined the complement of required mammalian biogenesis machinery through genome-wide CRISPRi screens using topologically distinct membrane proteins. Systematic analysis of nine identified factors across 21 diverse ⍺-helical substrates reveals that these components are organized into distinct targeting pathways that act on substrates based on their topology. NAC is required for the efficient targeting of polytopic proteins, whereas signal-anchored proteins require TTC1, a cytosolic chaperone that physically engages substrates. Biochemical and mutational studies reveal that TTC1 employs a conserved TPR domain and a hydrophobic groove in its C-terminal domain to support substrate solubilization and insertion into mitochondria. Thus, the targeting of diverse mitochondrial membrane proteins is achieved through topological triaging in the cytosol using principles with similarities to ER membrane protein biogenesis systems.

Mitochondrial entry gate as regulatory hub

Mitochondria import 1000-1300 different precursor proteins from the cytosol. The main mitochondrial entry gate is formed by the translocase of the outer membrane (TOM complex). Molecular coupling and modification of TOM subunits control and modulate protein import in response to cellular signaling. The TOM complex functions as regulatory hub to integrate mitochondrial protein biogenesis and quality control into the cellular proteostasis network.

Interactions of amyloidogenic proteins with mitochondrial protein import machinery in aging-related neurodegenerative diseases

Most mitochondrial proteins are targeted to the organelle by N-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequences (MTSs, or "presequences") that are recognized by the import machinery and subsequently cleaved to yield the mature protein. MTSs do not have conserved amino acid compositions, but share common physicochemical properties, including the ability to form amphipathic α-helical structures enriched with basic and hydrophobic residues on alternating faces. The lack of strict sequence conservation implies that some polypeptides can be mistargeted to mitochondria, especially under cellular stress. The pathogenic accumulation of proteins within mitochondria is implicated in many aging-related neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. Mechanistically, these diseases may originate in part from mitochondrial interactions with amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) or its cleavage product amyloid-β (Aβ), α-synuclein (α-syn), and mutant forms of huntingtin (mHtt), respectively, that are mediated in part through their associations with the mitochondrial protein import machinery. Emerging evidence suggests that these amyloidogenic proteins may present cryptic targeting signals that act as MTS mimetics and can be recognized by mitochondrial import receptors and transported into different mitochondrial compartments. Accumulation of these mistargeted proteins could overwhelm the import machinery and its associated quality control mechanisms, thereby contributing to neurological disease progression. Alternatively, the uptake of amyloidogenic proteins into mitochondria may be part of a protein quality control mechanism for clearance of cytotoxic proteins. Here we review the pathomechanisms of these diseases as they relate to mitochondrial protein import and effects on mitochondrial function, what features of APP/Aβ, α-syn and mHtt make them suitable substrates for the import machinery, and how this information can be leveraged for the development of therapeutic interventions.

Endogenous TOM20 Proximity Labeling: A Swiss-Knife for the Study of Mitochondrial Proteins in Human Cells

Biotin-based proximity labeling approaches, such as BioID, have demonstrated their use for the study of mitochondria proteomes in living cells. The use of genetically engineered BioID cell lines enables the detailed characterization of poorly characterized processes such as mitochondrial co-translational import. In this process, translation is coupled to the translocation of the mitochondrial proteins, alleviating the energy cost typically associated with the post-translational import relying on chaperone systems. However, the mechanisms are still unclear with only few actors identified but none that have been described in mammals yet. We thus profiled the TOM20 proxisome using BioID, assuming that some of the identified proteins could be molecular actors of the co-translational import in human cells. The obtained results showed a high enrichment of RNA binding proteins close to the TOM complex. However, for the few selected candidates, we could not demonstrate a role in the mitochondrial co-translational import process. Nonetheless, we were able to demonstrate additional uses of our BioID cell line. Indeed, the experimental approach used in this study is thus proposed for the identification of mitochondrial co-translational import effectors and for the monitoring of protein entry inside mitochondria with a potential application in the prediction of mitochondrial protein half-life.

Small heat shock proteins operate as molecular chaperones in the mitochondrial intermembrane space

Mitochondria are complex organelles with different compartments, each harbouring their own protein quality control factors. While chaperones of the mitochondrial matrix are well characterized, it is poorly understood which chaperones protect the mitochondrial intermembrane space. Here we show that cytosolic small heat shock proteins are imported under basal conditions into the mitochondrial intermembrane space, where they operate as molecular chaperones. Protein misfolding in the mitochondrial intermembrane space leads to increased recruitment of small heat shock proteins. Depletion of small heat shock proteins leads to mitochondrial swelling and reduced respiration, while aggregation of aggregation-prone substrates is countered in their presence. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease-causing mutations disturb the mitochondrial function of HSPB1, potentially linking previously observed mitochondrial dysfunction in Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2F to its role in the mitochondrial intermembrane space. Our results reveal that small heat shock proteins form a chaperone system that operates in the mitochondrial intermembrane space.

Role of Hsp70 in Post-Translational Protein Targeting: Tail-Anchored Membrane Proteins and Beyond

The Hsp70 family of molecular chaperones acts as a central 'hub' in the cell that interacts with numerous newly synthesized proteins to assist in their biogenesis. Apart from its central and well-established role in facilitating protein folding, Hsp70s also act as key decision points in the cellular chaperone network that direct client proteins to distinct biogenesis and quality control pathways. In this paper, we review accumulating data that illustrate a new branch in the Hsp70 network: the post-translational targeting of nascent membrane and organellar proteins to diverse cellular organelles. Work in multiple pathways suggests that Hsp70, via its ability to interact with components of protein targeting and translocation machineries, can initiate elaborate substrate relays in a sophisticated cascade of chaperones, cochaperones, and receptor proteins, and thus provide a mechanism to safeguard and deliver nascent membrane proteins to the correct cellular membrane. We discuss the mechanistic principles gleaned from better-studied Hsp70-dependent targeting pathways and outline the observations and outstanding questions in less well-studied systems.

Increasing the Efficiency of the Accumulation of Recombinant Proteins in Plant Cells: The Role of Transport Signal Peptides

The problem with increasing the yield of recombinant proteins is resolvable using different approaches, including the transport of a target protein to cell compartments with a low protease activity. In the cell, protein targeting involves short-signal peptide sequences recognized by intracellular protein transport systems. The main systems of the protein transport across membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and endosymbiotic organelles are reviewed here, as are the major types and structure of the signal sequences targeting proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum and its derivatives, to plastids, and to mitochondria. The role of protein targeting to certain cell organelles depending on specific features of recombinant proteins and the effect of this targeting on the protein yield are discussed, in addition to the main directions of the search for signal sequences based on their primary structure. This knowledge makes it possible not only to predict a protein localization in the cell but also to reveal the most efficient sequences with potential biotechnological utility.

A High-Throughput Search for SFXN1 Physical Partners Led to the Identification of ATAD3, HSD10 and TIM50

Simple Summary

Mitochondria are central players in cell fate and cell death. Indeed, mitochondrial dysfunction has been observed in many diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. The activity of these organelles relies on numerous mitochondrial transporters, among which the sideroflexins have received little attention to date despite their emerging importance in human health. To better understand the cellular functions of these transporters and their associations with diseases, we herein investigated the molecular partners of one human sideroflexin, SFXN1. Several proteins capable of interacting with SFXN1 were identified, including ATAD3 and HSD10, two mitochondrial proteins linked to neuronal disorders.

Abstract

Sideroflexins (SFXN, SLC56) are a family of evolutionarily conserved mitochondrial carriers potentially involved in iron homeostasis. One member of the SFXN family is SFXN1, recently identified as a human mitochondrial serine transporter. However, little is known about the SFXN1 interactome, necessitating a high-throughput search to better characterize SFXN1 mitochondrial functions. Via co-immunoprecipitation followed by shotgun mass spectrometry (coIP-MS), we identified 96 putative SFXN1 interactors in the MCF7 human cell line. Our in silico analysis of the SFXN1 interactome highlights biological processes linked to mitochondrial organization, electron transport chains and transmembrane transport. Among the potential physical partners, ATAD3A and 17β-HSD10, two proteins associated with neurological disorders, were confirmed using different human cell lines. Nevertheless, further work will be needed to investigate the significance of these interactions.

Crosstalk between Mitochondrial Protein Import and Lipids

Mitochondria import about 1000 precursor proteins from the cytosol. The translocase of the outer membrane (TOM complex) forms the major entry site for precursor proteins. Subsequently, membrane-bound protein translocases sort the precursor proteins into the outer and inner membrane, the intermembrane space, and the matrix. The phospholipid composition of mitochondrial membranes is critical for protein import. Structural and biochemical data revealed that phospholipids affect the stability and activity of mitochondrial protein translocases. Integration of proteins into the target membrane involves rearrangement of phospholipids and distortion of the lipid bilayer. Phospholipids are present in the interface between subunits of protein translocases and affect the dynamic coupling of partner proteins. Phospholipids are required for full activity of the respiratory chain to generate membrane potential, which in turn drives protein import across and into the inner membrane. Finally, outer membrane protein translocases are closely linked to organellar contact sites that mediate lipid trafficking. Altogether, intensive crosstalk between mitochondrial protein import and lipid biogenesis controls mitochondrial biogenesis.

Mitochondrial quality control in health and in Parkinson's disease

As a central hub for cellular metabolism and intracellular signalling, the mitochondrion is a pivotal organelle, dysfunction of which has been linked to several human diseases including neurodegenerative disorders, and in particular Parkinson's disease. An inherent challenge that mitochondria face is the continuous exposure to diverse stresses which increase their likelihood of dysregulation. In response, eukaryotic cells have evolved sophisticated quality control mechanisms to monitor, identify, repair and/or eliminate abnormal or misfolded proteins within the mitochondrion and/or the dysfunctional mitochondrion itself. Chaperones identify unstable or otherwise abnormal conformations in mitochondrial proteins and can promote their refolding to recover their correct conformation and stability. However, if repair is not possible, the abnormal protein is selectively degraded to prevent potentially damaging interactions with other proteins or its oligomerization into toxic multimeric complexes. The autophagic-lysosomal system and the ubiquitin-proteasome system mediate the selective and targeted degradation of such abnormal or misfolded protein species. Mitophagy (a specific kind of autophagy) mediates the selective elimination of dysfunctional mitochondria, in order to prevent the deleterious effects the dysfunctional organelles within the cell. Despite our increasing understanding of the molecular responses toward dysfunctional mitochondria, many key aspects remain relatively poorly understood. Herein, we review the emerging mechanisms of mitochondrial quality control including quality control strategies coupled to mitochondrial import mechanisms. In addition, we review the molecular mechanisms regulating mitophagy with an emphasis on the regulation of PINK1/PARKIN-mediated mitophagy in cellular physiology and in the context of Parkinson's disease cell biology.

The mechanisms of integral membrane protein biogenesis

Roughly one quarter of all genes code for integral membrane proteins that are inserted into the plasma membrane of prokaryotes or the endoplasmic reticulum membrane of eukaryotes. Multiple pathways are used for the targeting and insertion of membrane proteins on the basis of their topological and biophysical characteristics. Multipass membrane proteins span the membrane multiple times and face the additional challenges of intramembrane folding. In many cases, integral membrane proteins require assembly with other proteins to form multi-subunit membrane protein complexes. Recent biochemical and structural analyses have provided considerable clarity regarding the molecular basis of membrane protein targeting and insertion, with tantalizing new insights into the poorly understood processes of multipass membrane protein biogenesis and multi-subunit protein complex assembly.

Coordinated Translocation of Presequence-Containing Precursor Proteins Across Two Mitochondrial Membranes: Knowns and Unknowns of How TOM and TIM23 Complexes Cooperate With Each Other

The vast majority of mitochondrial proteins are encoded in the nuclear genome and synthesized on cytosolic ribosomes as precursor proteins with specific mitochondrial targeting signals. Mitochondrial targeting signals are very diverse, however, about 70% of mitochondrial proteins carry cleavable, N-terminal extensions called presequences. These amphipathic helices with one positively charged and one hydrophobic surface target proteins to the mitochondrial matrix with the help of the TOM and TIM23 complexes in the outer and inner membranes, respectively. Translocation of proteins across the two mitochondrial membranes does not take place independently of each other. Rather, in the intermembrane space, where the two complexes meet, components of the TOM and TIM23 complexes form an intricate network of protein-protein interactions that mediates initially transfer of presequences and then of the entire precursor proteins from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane. In this Mini Review, we summarize our current understanding of how the TOM and TIM23 complexes cooperate with each other and highlight some of the future challenges and unresolved questions in the field.

Protein Quality Control at the Mitochondrial Surface

Mitochondria contain two membranes, the outer and inner membrane. The outer membrane fulfills crucial functions for the communication of mitochondria with the cellular environment like exchange of lipids via organelle contact sites, the transport of metabolites and the formation of a signaling platform in apoptosis and innate immunity. The translocase of the outer membrane (TOM complex) forms the entry gate for the vast majority of precursor proteins that are produced on cytosolic ribosomes. Surveillance of the functionality of outer membrane proteins is critical for mitochondrial functions and biogenesis. Quality control mechanisms remove defective and mistargeted proteins from the outer membrane as well as precursor proteins that clog the TOM complex. Selective degradation of single proteins is also an important mode to regulate mitochondrial dynamics and initiation of mitophagy pathways. Whereas inner mitochondrial compartments are equipped with specific proteases, the ubiquitin-proteasome system is a central player in protein surveillance on the mitochondrial surface. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms that govern quality control of proteins at the outer mitochondrial membrane.

Role of Mitochondrial Protein Import in Age-Related Neurodegenerative and Cardiovascular Diseases

Mitochondria play a critical role in providing energy, maintaining cellular metabolism, and regulating cell survival and death. To carry out these crucial functions, mitochondria employ more than 1500 proteins, distributed between two membranes and two aqueous compartments. An extensive network of dedicated proteins is engaged in importing and sorting these nuclear-encoded proteins into their designated mitochondrial compartments. Defects in this fundamental system are related to a variety of pathologies, particularly engaging the most energy-demanding tissues. In this review, we summarize the state-of-the-art knowledge about the mitochondrial protein import machinery and describe the known interrelation of its failure with age-related neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.

Constraint-based modeling of yeast mitochondria reveals the dynamics of protein import and iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis

Mitochondria are a hallmark of eukaryal cells and play an important role in cellular metabolism. There is a vast amount of knowledge available on mitochondrial metabolism and essential mitochondrial functions, such as protein import and iron-sulfur cluster biosynthesis, including multiple studies on the mitochondrial proteome. Therefore, there is a need for in silico approaches to facilitate the analysis of these data. Here, we present a detailed model of mitochondrial metabolism Saccharomyces cerevisiae, including protein import, iron-sulfur cluster biosynthesis, and a description of the coupling between charge translocation processes and ATP synthesis. Model analysis implied a dual dependence of absolute levels of proteins in protein import, iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis and cluster abundance on growth rate and respiratory activity. The model is instrumental in studying dynamics and perturbations in these processes and given the high conservation of mitochondrial metabolism in humans, it can provide insight into their role in human disease.

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Reconstruction of mitochondrial protein import and cofactor metabolism in yeast

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Quantification of the energy cost of metabolite transport

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Protein import activity depends on growth rate and respiratory activity

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Quantification iron-sulfur cluster requirements show growth rate dependence

How do Chaperones Bind (Partly) Unfolded Client Proteins?

Molecular chaperones are central to cellular protein homeostasis. Dynamic disorder is a key feature of the complexes of molecular chaperones and their client proteins, and it facilitates the client release towards a folded state or the handover to downstream components. The dynamic nature also implies that a given chaperone can interact with many different client proteins, based on physico-chemical sequence properties rather than on structural complementarity of their (folded) 3D structure. Yet, the balance between this promiscuity and some degree of client specificity is poorly understood. Here, we review recent atomic-level descriptions of chaperones with client proteins, including chaperones in complex with intrinsically disordered proteins, with membrane-protein precursors, or partially folded client proteins. We focus hereby on chaperone-client interactions that are independent of ATP. The picture emerging from these studies highlights the importance of dynamics in these complexes, whereby several interaction types, not only hydrophobic ones, contribute to the complex formation. We discuss these features of chaperone-client complexes and possible factors that may contribute to this balance of promiscuity and specificity.

Take Me Home, Protein Roads: Structural Insights into Signal Peptide Interactions during ER Translocation

Cleavable endoplasmic reticulum (ER) signal peptides (SPs) and other non-cleavable signal sequences target roughly a quarter of the human proteome to the ER. These short peptides, mostly located at the N-termini of proteins, are highly diverse. For most proteins targeted to the ER, it is the interactions between the signal sequences and the various ER targeting and translocation machineries such as the signal recognition particle (SRP), the protein-conducting channel Sec61, and the signal peptidase complex (SPC) that determine the proteins’ target location and provide translocation fidelity. In this review, we follow the signal peptide into the ER and discuss the recent insights that structural biology has provided on the governing principles of those interactions.

A subpopulation of arenavirus nucleoprotein localizes to mitochondria

Viruses need cells for their replication and, therefore, ways to hijack cellular functions. Mitochondria play fundamental roles within the cell in metabolism, immunity and regulation of homeostasis due to which some viruses aim to alter mitochondrial functions. Herein we show that the nucleoprotein (NP) of arenaviruses enters the mitochondria of infected cells, affecting the mitochondrial morphology. Reptarenaviruses cause boid inclusion body disease (BIBD) that is characterized, especially in boas, by the formation of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IBs) comprising reptarenavirus NP within the infected cells. We initiated this study after observing electron-dense material reminiscent of IBs within the mitochondria of reptarenavirus infected boid cell cultures in an ultrastructural study. We employed immuno-electron microscopy to confirm that the mitochondrial inclusions indeed contain reptarenavirus NP. Mutations to a putative N-terminal mitochondrial targeting signal (MTS), identified via software predictions in both mamm- and reptarenavirus NPs, did not affect the mitochondrial localization of NP, suggesting that it occurs independently of MTS. In support of MTS-independent translocation, we did not detect cleavage of the putative MTSs of arenavirus NPs in reptilian or mammalian cells. Furthermore, in vitro translated NPs could not enter isolated mitochondria, suggesting that the translocation requires cellular factors or conditions. Our findings suggest that MTS-independent mitochondrial translocation of NP is a shared feature among arenaviruses. We speculate that by targeting the mitochondria arenaviruses aim to alter mitochondrial metabolism and homeostasis or affect the cellular defense.

Quality control of protein import into mitochondria

Mitochondria import about 1000 proteins that are produced as precursors on cytosolic ribosomes. Defects in mitochondrial protein import result in the accumulation of non-imported precursor proteins and proteotoxic stress. The cell is equipped with different quality control mechanisms to monitor protein transport into mitochondria. First, molecular chaperones guide unfolded proteins to mitochondria and deliver non-imported proteins to proteasomal degradation. Second, quality control factors remove translocation stalled precursor proteins from protein translocases. Third, protein translocases monitor protein sorting to mitochondrial subcompartments. Fourth, AAA proteases of the mitochondrial subcompartments remove mislocalized or unassembled proteins. Finally, impaired efficiency of protein transport is an important sensor for mitochondrial dysfunction and causes the induction of cellular stress responses, which could eventually result in the removal of the defective mitochondria by mitophagy. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of quality control mechanisms that govern mitochondrial protein transport.

Phosphorylation of SARS-CoV-2 Orf9b Regulates Its Targeting to Two Binding Sites in TOM70 and Recruitment of Hsp90

SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is the causative agent of the COVID19 pandemic. The SARS-CoV-2 genome encodes for a small accessory protein termed Orf9b, which targets the mitochondrial outer membrane protein TOM70 in infected cells. TOM70 is involved in a signaling cascade that ultimately leads to the induction of type I interferons (IFN-I). This cascade depends on the recruitment of Hsp90-bound proteins to the N-terminal domain of TOM70. Binding of Orf9b to TOM70 decreases the expression of IFN-I; however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. We show that the binding of Orf9b to TOM70 inhibits the recruitment of Hsp90 and chaperone-associated proteins. We characterized the binding site of Orf9b within the C-terminal domain of TOM70 and found that a serine in position 53 of Orf9b and a glutamate in position 477 of TOM70 are crucial for the association of both proteins. A phosphomimetic variant Orf9b_S53E showed drastically reduced binding to TOM70 and did not inhibit Hsp90 recruitment, suggesting that Orf9b–TOM70 complex formation is regulated by phosphorylation. Eventually, we identified the N-terminal TPR domain of TOM70 as a second binding site for Orf9b, which indicates a so far unobserved contribution of chaperones in the mitochondrial targeting of the viral protein.

Accessing Mitochondrial Protein Import in Living Cells by Protein Microinjection

Mitochondrial protein biogenesis relies almost exclusively on the expression of nuclear-encoded polypeptides. The current model postulates that most of these proteins have to be delivered to their final mitochondrial destination after their synthesis in the cytoplasm. However, the knowledge of this process remains limited due to the absence of proper experimental real-time approaches to study mitochondria in their native cellular environment. We developed a gentle microinjection procedure for fluorescent reporter proteins allowing a direct non-invasive study of protein transport in living cells. As a proof of principle, we visualized potential-dependent protein import into mitochondria inside intact cells in real-time. We validated that our approach does not distort mitochondrial morphology and preserves the endogenous expression system as well as mitochondrial protein translocation machinery. We observed that a release of nascent polypeptides chains from actively translating cellular ribosomes by puromycin strongly increased the import rate of the microinjected pre-protein. This suggests that a substantial amount of mitochondrial translocase complexes was involved in co-translational protein import of endogenously expressed pre-proteins. Our protein microinjection method opens new possibilities to study the role of mitochondrial protein import in cell models of various pathological conditions as well as aging processes.

Intracellular mRNA transport and localized translation

Fine-tuning cellular physiology in response to intracellular and environmental cues requires precise temporal and spatial control of gene expression. High-resolution imaging technologies to detect mRNAs and their translation state have revealed that all living organisms localize mRNAs in subcellular compartments and create translation hotspots, enabling cells to tune gene expression locally. Therefore, mRNA localization is a conserved and integral part of gene expression regulation from prokaryotic to eukaryotic cells. In this Review, we discuss the mechanisms of mRNA transport and local mRNA translation across the kingdoms of life and at organellar, subcellular and multicellular resolution. We also discuss the properties of messenger ribonucleoprotein and higher order RNA granules and how they may influence mRNA transport and local protein synthesis. Finally, we summarize the technological developments that allow us to study mRNA localization and local translation through the simultaneous detection of mRNAs and proteins in single cells, mRNA and nascent protein single-molecule imaging, and bulk RNA and protein detection methods.

Porins as helpers in mitochondrial protein translocation

Mitochondria import the vast majority of their proteins via dedicated protein machineries. The translocase of the outer membrane (TOM complex) forms the main entry site for precursor proteins that are produced on cytosolic ribosomes. Subsequently, different protein sorting machineries transfer the incoming preproteins to the mitochondrial outer and inner membranes, the intermembrane space, and the matrix. In this review, we highlight the recently discovered role of porin, also termed voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), in mitochondrial protein biogenesis. Porin forms the major channel for metabolites and ions in the outer membrane of mitochondria. Two different functions of porin in protein translocation have been reported. First, it controls the formation of the TOM complex by modulating the integration of the central receptor Tom22 into the mature translocase. Second, porin promotes the transport of carrier proteins toward the carrier translocase (TIM22 complex), which inserts these preproteins into the inner membrane. Therefore, porin acts as a coupling factor to spatially coordinate outer and inner membrane transport steps. Thus, porin links metabolite transport to protein import, which are both essential for mitochondrial function and biogenesis.

SRPassing Co-translational Targeting: The Role of the Signal Recognition Particle in Protein Targeting and mRNA Protection

Signal recognition particle (SRP) is an RNA and protein complex that exists in all domains of life. It consists of one protein and one noncoding RNA in some bacteria. It is more complex in eukaryotes and consists of six proteins and one noncoding RNA in mammals. In the eukaryotic cytoplasm, SRP co-translationally targets proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum and prevents misfolding and aggregation of the secretory proteins in the cytoplasm. It was demonstrated recently that SRP also possesses an earlier unknown function, the protection of mRNAs of secretory proteins from degradation. In this review, we analyze the progress in studies of SRPs from different organisms, SRP biogenesis, its structure, and function in protein targeting and mRNA protection.

Strategies for mitochondrial gene editing

Mitochondria, as the energy factory of cells, participate in metabolism processes and play a critical role in the maintenance of human life activities. Mitochondria belong to semi-automatic organelles, which have their own genome different from nuclear genome. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations can cause a series of diseases and threaten human health. However, an effective approach to edit mitochondrial DNA, though long-desired, is lacking. In recent years, gene editing technologies, represented by restriction endonucleases (RE) technology, zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) technology, transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) technology, CRISPR system and pAgo-based system have been comprehensively explored, but the application of these technologies in mitochondrial gene editing is still to be explored and optimized. The present study highlights the progress and limitations of current mitochondrial gene editing technologies and approaches, and provides insights for development of novel strategies for future attempts.

mRNA Targeting, Transport and Local Translation in Eukaryotic Cells: From the Classical View to a Diversity of New Concepts

Spatial organization of protein biosynthesis in the eukaryotic cell has been studied for more than fifty years, thus many facts have already been included in textbooks. According to the classical view, mRNA transcripts encoding secreted and transmembrane proteins are translated by ribosomes associated with endoplasmic reticulum membranes, while soluble cytoplasmic proteins are synthesized on free polysomes. However, in the last few years, new data has emerged, revealing selective translation of mRNA on mitochondria and plastids, in proximity to peroxisomes and endosomes, in various granules and at the cytoskeleton (actin network, vimentin intermediate filaments, microtubules and centrosomes). There are also long-standing debates about the possibility of protein synthesis in the nucleus. Localized translation can be determined by targeting signals in the synthesized protein, nucleotide sequences in the mRNA itself, or both. With RNA-binding proteins, many transcripts can be assembled into specific RNA condensates and form RNP particles, which may be transported by molecular motors to the sites of active translation, form granules and provoke liquid-liquid phase separation in the cytoplasm, both under normal conditions and during cell stress. The translation of some mRNAs occurs in specialized "translation factories," assemblysomes, transperons and other structures necessary for the correct folding of proteins, interaction with functional partners and formation of oligomeric complexes. Intracellular localization of mRNA has a significant impact on the efficiency of its translation and presumably determines its response to cellular stress. Compartmentalization of mRNAs and the translation machinery also plays an important role in viral infections. Many viruses provoke the formation of specific intracellular structures, virus factories, for the production of their proteins. Here we review the current concepts of the molecular mechanisms of transport, selective localization and local translation of cellular and viral mRNAs, their effects on protein targeting and topogenesis, and on the regulation of protein biosynthesis in different compartments of the eukaryotic cell. Special attention is paid to new systems biology approaches, providing new cues to the study of localized translation.

J-domain proteins promote client relay from Hsp70 during tail-anchored membrane protein targeting

J-domain proteins (JDPs) play essential roles in Hsp70 function by assisting Hsp70 in client trapping and regulating the Hsp70 ATPase cycle. Here, we report that JDPs can further enhance the targeting competence of Hsp70-bound client proteins during tail-anchored protein (TA) biogenesis. In the guided-entry-of-tail-anchored protein pathway in yeast, nascent TAs are captured by cytosolic Hsp70 and sequentially relayed to downstream chaperones, Sgt2 and Get3, for delivery to the ER. We found that two JDPs, Ydj1 and Sis1, function in parallel to support TA targeting to the ER in vivo. Biochemical analyses showed that, while Ydj1 and Sis1 differ in their ability to assist Hsp70 in TA trapping, both JDPs enhance the transfer of Hsp70-bound TAs to Sgt2. The ability of the JDPs to regulate the ATPase cycle of Hsp70 is essential for enhancing the transfer competence of Hsp70-bound TAs in vitro and for supporting TA insertion in vivo. These results demonstrate a role of JDPs in regulating the conformation of Hsp70-bound clients during membrane protein biogenesis.

Balancing energy demand and production by mitochondrial trafficking of RHEB

In this issue of Developmental Cell,Yang et al. (2021) discover that, RHEB traffics to mitochondria to promote energy production by stimulating pyruvate dehydrogenase to convert pyruvate to acetyl-CoA.

Localization of myoglobin in mitochondria: implication in regulation of mitochondrial respiration in rat skeletal muscle

Mitochondria play a principal role in metabolism, and mitochondrial respiration is an important process for producing adenosine triphosphate. Recently, we showed the possibility that the muscle-specific protein myoglobin (Mb) interacts with mitochondrial complex IV to augment the respiration capacity in skeletal muscles. However, the precise mechanism for the Mb-mediated upregulation remains under debate. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether Mb is truly integrated into the mitochondria of skeletal muscle and to investigate the submitochondrial localization. Isolated mitochondria from rat gastrocnemius muscle were subjected to different proteinase K (PK) concentrations to digest proteins interacting with the outer membrane. Western blotting analysis revealed that the PK digested translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20 (Tom20), and the immunoreactivity of Tom20 decreased with the amount of PK used. However, the immunoreactivity of Mb with PK treatment was better preserved, indicating that Mb is integrated into the mitochondria of skeletal muscle. The mitochondrial protease protection assay experiments suggested that Mb localizes within the mitochondria in the inner membrane from the intermembrane space side. These results strongly suggest that Mb inside muscle mitochondria could be implicated in the regulation of mitochondrial respiration via complex IV.

More than just a ticket canceller: the mitochondrial processing peptidase tailors complex precursor proteins at internal cleavage sites

Most mitochondrial proteins are synthesized as precursors that carry N-terminal presequences. After they are imported into mitochondria, these targeting signals are cleaved off by the mitochondrial processing peptidase (MPP). Using the mitochondrial tandem protein Arg5,6 as a model substrate, we demonstrate that MPP has an additional role in preprotein maturation, beyond the removal of presequences. Arg5,6 is synthesized as a polyprotein precursor that is imported into mitochondria and subsequently separated into two distinct enzymes. This internal processing is performed by MPP, which cleaves the Arg5,6 precursor at its N-terminus and at an internal site. The peculiar organization of Arg5,6 is conserved across fungi and reflects the polycistronic arginine operon in prokaryotes. MPP cleavage sites are also present in other mitochondrial fusion proteins from fungi, plants, and animals. Hence, besides its role as a "ticket canceller" for removal of presequences, MPP exhibits a second conserved activity as an internal processing peptidase for complex mitochondrial precursor proteins.

The selectivity filter of the mitochondrial protein import machinery

Background

The uptake of newly synthesized nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins from the cytosol is mediated by a complex of mitochondrial outer membrane proteins comprising a central pore-forming component and associated receptor proteins. Distinct fractions of proteins initially bind to the receptor proteins and are subsequently transferred to the pore-forming component for import. The aim of this study was the identification of the decisive elements of this machinery that determine the specific selection of the proteins that should be imported.

Results

We identified the essential internal targeting signal of the members of the mitochondrial metabolite carrier proteins, the largest protein family of the mitochondria, and we investigated the specific recognition of this signal by the protein import machinery at the mitochondrial outer surface. We found that the outer membrane import receptors facilitated the uptake of these proteins, and we identified the corresponding binding site, marked by cysteine C141 in the receptor protein Tom70. However, in tests both in vivo and in vitro, the import receptors were neither necessary nor sufficient for specific recognition of the targeting signals. Although these signals are unrelated to the amino-terminal presequences that mediate the targeting of other mitochondrial preproteins, they were found to resemble presequences in their strict dependence on a content of positively charged residues as a prerequisite of interactions with the import pore.

Conclusions

The general import pore of the mitochondrial outer membrane appears to represent not only the central channel of protein translocation but also to form the decisive general selectivity filter in the uptake of the newly synthesized mitochondrial proteins.

Quality control of the mitochondrial proteome

Mitochondria contain about 1,000-1,500 proteins that fulfil multiple functions. Mitochondrial proteins originate from two genomes: mitochondrial and nuclear. Hence, proper mitochondrial function requires synchronization of gene expression in the nucleus and in mitochondria and necessitates efficient import of mitochondrial proteins into the organelle from the cytosol. Furthermore, the mitochondrial proteome displays high plasticity to allow the adaptation of mitochondrial function to cellular requirements. Maintenance of this complex and adaptable mitochondrial proteome is challenging, but is of crucial importance to cell function. Defects in mitochondrial proteostasis lead to proteotoxic insults and eventually cell death. Different quality control systems monitor the mitochondrial proteome. The cytosolic ubiquitin-proteasome system controls protein transport across the mitochondrial outer membrane and removes damaged or mislocalized proteins. Concomitantly, a number of mitochondrial chaperones and proteases govern protein folding and degrade damaged proteins inside mitochondria. The quality control factors also regulate processing and turnover of native proteins to control protein import, mitochondrial metabolism, signalling cascades, mitochondrial dynamics and lipid biogenesis, further ensuring proper function of mitochondria. Thus, mitochondrial protein quality control mechanisms are of pivotal importance to integrate mitochondria into the cellular environment.

Localization and RNA Binding of Mitochondrial Aminoacyl tRNA Synthetases

Mitochondria contain a complete translation machinery that is used to translate its internally transcribed mRNAs. This machinery uses a distinct set of tRNAs that are charged with cognate amino acids inside the organelle. Interestingly, charging is executed by aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (aaRS) that are encoded by the nuclear genome, translated in the cytosol, and need to be imported into the mitochondria. Here, we review import mechanisms of these enzymes with emphasis on those that are localized to both mitochondria and cytosol. Furthermore, we describe RNA recognition features of these enzymes and their interaction with tRNA and non-tRNA molecules. The dual localization of mitochondria-destined aaRSs and their association with various RNA types impose diverse impacts on cellular physiology. Yet, the breadth and significance of these functions are not fully resolved. We highlight here possibilities for future explorations.

Mechanisms and pathways of mitochondrial outer membrane protein biogenesis

Outer membrane proteins integrate mitochondria into the cellular environment. They warrant exchange of small molecules like metabolites and ions, transport proteins into mitochondria, form contact sites to other cellular organelles for lipid exchange, constitute a signaling platform for apoptosis and inflammation and mediate organelle fusion and fission. The outer membrane contains two types of integral membrane proteins. Proteins with a transmembrane β-barrel structure and proteins with a single or multiple α-helical membrane spans. All outer membrane proteins are produced on cytosolic ribosomes and imported into the target organelle. Precursors of β-barrel and α-helical proteins are transported into the outer membrane via distinct import routes. The translocase of the outer membrane (TOM complex) transports β-barrel precursors across the outer membrane and the sorting and assembly machinery (SAM complex) inserts them into the target membrane. The mitochondrial import (MIM) complex constitutes the major integration site for α-helical embedded proteins. The import of some MIM-substrates involves TOM receptors, while others are imported in a TOM-independent manner. Remarkably, TOM, SAM and MIM complexes dynamically interact to import a large set of different proteins and to coordinate their assembly into protein complexes. Thus, protein import into the mitochondrial outer membrane involves a dynamic platform of protein translocases.

The Mitochondrial Outer Membrane Protein Tom70-Mediator in Protein Traffic, Membrane Contact Sites and Innate Immunity

Tom70 is a versatile adaptor protein of 70 kDa anchored in the outer membrane of mitochondria in metazoa, fungi and amoeba. The tertiary structure was resolved for the Tom70 of yeast, showing 26 α-helices, most of them participating in the formation of 11 tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motifs. Tom70 serves as a docking site for cytosolic chaperone proteins and co-chaperones and is thereby involved in the uptake of newly synthesized chaperone-bound proteins in mitochondrial biogenesis. In yeast, Tom70 additionally mediates ER-mitochondria contacts via binding to sterol transporter Lam6/Ltc1. In mammalian cells, TOM70 promotes endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to mitochondria Ca2+ transfer by association with the inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate receptor type 3 (IP3R3). TOM70 is specifically targeted by the Bcl-2-related protein MCL-1 that acts as an anti-apoptotic protein in macrophages infected by intracellular pathogens, but also in many cancer cells. By participating in the recruitment of PINK1 and the E3 ubiquitin ligase Parkin, TOM70 can be implicated in the development of Parkinson's disease. TOM70 acts as receptor of the mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) and thereby participates in the corresponding system of innate immunity against viral infections. The protein encoded by Orf9b in the genome of SARS-CoV-2 binds to TOM70, probably compromising the synthesis of type I interferons.

Coupling of import and assembly pathways in mitochondrial protein biogenesis

Biogenesis and function of mitochondria depend on the import of about 1000 precursor proteins that are produced on cytosolic ribosomes. The translocase of the outer membrane (TOM) forms the entry gate for most proteins. After passage through the TOM channel, dedicated preprotein translocases sort the precursor proteins into the mitochondrial subcompartments. Many proteins have to be assembled into oligomeric membrane-integrated complexes in order to perform their functions. In this review, we discuss a dual role of mitochondrial preprotein translocases in protein translocation and oligomeric assembly, focusing on the biogenesis of the TOM complex and the respiratory chain. The sorting and assembly machinery (SAM) of the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a dynamic platform for coupling transport and assembly of TOM subunits. The biogenesis of the cytochrome c oxidase of the inner membrane involves a molecular circuit to adjust translation of mitochondrial-encoded core subunits to the availability of nuclear-encoded partner proteins. Thus, mitochondrial protein translocases not only import precursor proteins but can also support their assembly into functional complexes.

Biogenesis of Mitochondrial Metabolite Carriers

: Metabolite carriers of the mitochondrial inner membrane are crucial for cellular physiology since mitochondria contribute essential metabolic reactions and synthesize the majority of the cellular ATP. Like almost all mitochondrial proteins, carriers have to be imported into mitochondria from the cytosol. Carrier precursors utilize a specialized translocation pathway dedicated to the biogenesis of carriers and related proteins, the carrier translocase of the inner membrane (TIM22) pathway. After recognition and import through the mitochondrial outer membrane via the translocase of the outer membrane (TOM) complex, carrier precursors are ushered through the intermembrane space by hexameric TIM chaperones and ultimately integrated into the inner membrane by the TIM22 carrier translocase. Recent advances have shed light on the mechanisms of TOM translocase and TIM chaperone function, uncovered an unexpected versatility of the machineries, and revealed novel components and functional crosstalk of the human TIM22 translocase.

The Similarities between Human Mitochondria and Bacteria in the Context of Structure, Genome, and Base Excision Repair System

Mitochondria emerged from bacterial ancestors during endosymbiosis and are crucial for cellular processes such as energy production and homeostasis, stress responses, cell survival, and more. They are the site of aerobic respiration and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in eukaryotes. However, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is also the source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are both important and dangerous for the cell. Human mitochondria contain mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and its integrity may be endangered by the action of ROS. Fortunately, human mitochondria have repair mechanisms that allow protecting mtDNA and repairing lesions that may contribute to the occurrence of mutations. Mutagenesis of the mitochondrial genome may manifest in the form of pathological states such as mitochondrial, neurodegenerative, and/or cardiovascular diseases, premature aging, and cancer. The review describes the mitochondrial structure, genome, and the main mitochondrial repair mechanism (base excision repair (BER)) of oxidative lesions in the context of common features between human mitochondria and bacteria. The authors present a holistic view of the similarities of mitochondria and bacteria to show that bacteria may be an interesting experimental model for studying mitochondrial diseases, especially those where the mechanism of DNA repair is impaired.

The mitochondrial carrier pathway transports non-canonical substrates with an odd number of transmembrane segments

BACKGROUND

The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) plays a central role in energy metabolism by transporting pyruvate across the inner mitochondrial membrane. Its heterodimeric composition and homology to SWEET and semiSWEET transporters set the MPC apart from the canonical mitochondrial carrier family (named MCF or SLC25). The import of the canonical carriers is mediated by the carrier translocase of the inner membrane (TIM22) pathway and is dependent on their structure, which features an even number of transmembrane segments and both termini in the intermembrane space. The import pathway of MPC proteins has not been elucidated. The odd number of transmembrane segments and positioning of the N-terminus in the matrix argues against an import via the TIM22 carrier pathway but favors an import via the flexible presequence pathway.

RESULTS

Here, we systematically analyzed the import pathways of Mpc2 and Mpc3 and report that, contrary to an expected import via the flexible presequence pathway, yeast MPC proteins with an odd number of transmembrane segments and matrix-exposed N-terminus are imported by the carrier pathway, using the receptor Tom70, small TIM chaperones, and the TIM22 complex. The TIM9·10 complex chaperones MPC proteins through the mitochondrial intermembrane space using conserved hydrophobic motifs that are also required for the interaction with canonical carrier proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

The carrier pathway can import paired and non-paired transmembrane helices and translocate N-termini to either side of the mitochondrial inner membrane, revealing an unexpected versatility of the mitochondrial import pathway for non-cleavable inner membrane proteins.

Guiding tail-anchored membrane proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum in a chaperone cascade

Newly synthesized integral membrane proteins must traverse the aqueous cytosolic environment before arrival at their membrane destination and are prone to aggregation, misfolding, and mislocalization during this process. The biogenesis of integral membrane proteins therefore poses acute challenges to protein homeostasis within a cell and requires the action of effective molecular chaperones. Chaperones that mediate membrane protein targeting not only need to protect the nascent transmembrane domains from improper exposure in the cytosol, but also need to accurately select client proteins and actively guide their clients to the appropriate target membrane. The mechanisms by which cellular chaperones work together to coordinate this complex process are only beginning to be delineated. Here, we summarize recent advances in studies of the tail-anchored membrane protein targeting pathway, which revealed a network of chaperones, cochaperones, and targeting factors that together drive and regulate this essential process. This pathway is emerging as an excellent model system to decipher the mechanism by which molecular chaperones overcome the multiple challenges during post-translational membrane protein biogenesis and to gain insights into the functional organization of multicomponent chaperone networks.

The basic machineries for mitochondrial protein quality control

Mitochondria play pivotal roles in cellular energy metabolism, the synthesis of essential biomolecules and the regulation of cell death and aging. The proper folding, unfolding and degradation of the many proteins active within mitochondria is surveyed by the mitochondrial quality control machineries. Here, we describe the principal components of the mitochondrial quality control system and recent developments in the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms maintaining a functional mitochondrial proteome.

A Mechanistic Perspective on PEX1 and PEX6, Two AAA+ Proteins of the Peroxisomal Protein Import Machinery

In contrast to many protein translocases that use ATP or GTP hydrolysis as the driving force to transport proteins across biological membranes, the peroxisomal matrix protein import machinery relies on a regulated self-assembly mechanism for this purpose and uses ATP hydrolysis only to reset its components. The ATP-dependent protein complex in charge of resetting this machinery—the Receptor Export Module (REM)—comprises two members of the “ATPases Associated with diverse cellular Activities” (AAA+) family, PEX1 and PEX6, and a membrane protein that anchors the ATPases to the organelle membrane. In recent years, a large amount of data on the structure/function of the REM complex has become available. Here, we discuss the main findings and their mechanistic implications.

Subcellular NAMPT-mediated NAD+ salvage pathways and their roles in bioenergetics and neuronal protection after ischemic injury

NAD⁺ is a cofactor required for glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and complex I enzymatic reaction. In mammalian cells, NAD⁺ is predominantly synthesized through the salvage pathway, where nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is the rate-limiting enzyme. Previously, we demonstrated that NAMPT exerts a neuroprotective effect in ischemia through the suppression of mitochondrial dysfunction. Mammalian cells maintain distinct NAD⁺ pools in the cytosol, mitochondria, and nuclei. However, it is unknown whether mitochondria have an intact machinery for NAD⁺ salvage, and if so, whether it plays a dominant role in bioenergetics, mitochondrial function, and neuronal protection after ischemia. Here, using mouse primary cortical neuron and cortical tissue preparations, and multiple technologies including cytosolic and mitochondrial subfractionation, viral over-expression of transgenes, molecular biology, and confocal microscopy, we provided compelling evidence that neuronal mitochondria possess an intact machinery of NAMPT-mediated NAD⁺ salvage pathway, and that NAMPT and nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 3 (NMNAT3) are localized in the mitochondrial matrix. By knocking down NMNAT1-3 and NAMPT with siRNA, we found that NMNAT3 has a larger effect on basal and ATP production-related mitochondrial respiration than NMNAT1-2 in primary cultured neurons, while NMNAT1-2 have a larger effect on glycolytic flux than NMNAT3. Using an oxygen glucose deprivation model, we found that mitochondrial, cytoplasmic, and non-subcellular compartmental over-expressions of NAMPT have a comparable effect on neuronal protection and suppression of apoptosis-inducing factor translocation. The current study provides novel insights into the roles of subcellular compartmental NAD⁺ salvage pathways in NAD⁺ homeostasis, bioenergetics, and neuronal protection in ischemic conditions.

Biological Functions of Connexin43 Beyond Intercellular Communication

Connexin43 (Cx43) is commonly associated with direct cell-cell communication through gap junctions (GJs). However, recent groundbreaking studies have challenged this dogma, implicating Cx43 in other biological processes, such as transcription, metabolism, autophagy, and ion channel trafficking. How Cx43 participates in these processes remains largely unknown, although its high turnover rate, capacity to bind to myriad proteins, and the discovery of truncated isoforms of Cx43, ascribe to this protein unanticipated roles in chief processes that require fine-tuned regulation. Accordingly, Cx43 can be regarded as a central integrative hub to which diverse cues converge to be processed in a concerted manner. In this review, we examine the noncanonical roles of Cx43 and discuss the implications of these functions in human diseases and future therapeutic strategies.