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Mitochondrial presequence import: Multiple regulatory knobs fine-tune mitochondrial biogenesis and homeostasis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2019; 1866:930-944. [PMID: 30802482 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2019.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria are pivotal organelles for cellular signaling and metabolism, and their dysfunction leads to severe cellular stress. About 60-70% of the mitochondrial proteome consists of preproteins synthesized in the cytosol with an amino-terminal cleavable presequence targeting signal. The TIM23 complex transports presequence signals towards the mitochondrial matrix. Ultimately, the mature protein segments are either transported into the matrix or sorted to the inner membrane. To ensure accurate preprotein import into distinct mitochondrial sub-compartments, the TIM23 machinery adopts specific functional conformations and interacts with different partner complexes. Regulatory subunits modulate the translocase dynamics, tailoring the import reaction to the incoming preprotein. The mitochondrial membrane potential and the ATP generated via oxidative phosphorylation are key energy sources in driving the presequence import pathway. Thus, mitochondrial dysfunctions have rapid repercussions on biogenesis. Cellular mechanisms exploit the presequence import pathway to monitor mitochondrial dysfunctions and mount transcriptional and proteostatic responses to restore functionality.
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Denkert N, Schendzielorz AB, Barbot M, Versemann L, Richter F, Rehling P, Meinecke M. Cation selectivity of the presequence translocase channel Tim23 is crucial for efficient protein import. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28857742 PMCID: PMC5578737 DOI: 10.7554/elife.28324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Virtually all mitochondrial matrix proteins and a considerable number of inner membrane proteins carry a positively charged, N-terminal presequence and are imported by the TIM23 complex (presequence translocase) located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. The voltage-regulated Tim23 channel constitutes the actual protein-import pore wide enough to allow the passage of polypeptides with a secondary structure. In this study, we identify amino acids important for the cation selectivity of Tim23. Structure based mutants show that selectivity is provided by highly conserved, pore-lining amino acids. Mutations of these amino acid residues lead to reduced selectivity properties, reduced protein import capacity and they render the Tim23 channel insensitive to substrates. We thus show that the cation selectivity of the Tim23 channel is a key feature for substrate recognition and efficient protein import. The cells of animals, plants and other eukaryotic organisms contain compartments known as organelles that play many different roles. For example, compartments called mitochondria are responsible for supplying the chemical energy cells need to survive and grow. Two membranes surround each mitochondrion and energy is converted on the surface of the inner one. Mitochondria contain over 1,000 different proteins, most of which are produced in the main part of the cell and have to be transported into the mitochondria. A transport protein called Tim23 is part of a larger group or ‘complex’ of proteins that helps to import many other proteins into the mitochondria. This complex sits in the inner membrane, with the Tim23 protein forming a large, water-filled pore through its core that provides a route for proteins to pass through the membrane. Proteins are made of building blocks called amino acids. The proteins transported by the complex containing Tim23 all have a short chain of amino acids at one end known as an N-terminal presequence. However, it is not clear how the inside of the Tim23 channel identifies and transports this presequence to allow the right proteins to pass through the inner membrane. Denkert, Schendzielorz et al. studied the normal and mutant versions of a Tim23 channel from yeast to find out which parts of the protein are involved in detecting the N-terminal presequence after it enters the pore. The experiments show that there are several amino acids in Tim23 that play important roles in this process. Furthermore, mitochondria containing mutant Tim23 channels, that are less able to identify the N-terminal presequence, are impaired in their ability to import proteins. Tim23 proteins in humans and other organisms also contain most or all of the specific amino acids identified in this study, suggesting that the findings of Denkert, Schendzielorz et al. will also apply to other species. Furthermore, the experimental strategy used in this study could be adapted to investigate transport proteins in other cell compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Denkert
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Mariam Barbot
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lennart Versemann
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frank Richter
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter Rehling
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany.,Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael Meinecke
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Göttinger Zentrum für Molekulare Biowissenschaften, Göttingen, Germany.,European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Revisiting trends on mitochondrial mega-channels for the import of proteins and nucleic acids. J Bioenerg Biomembr 2016; 49:75-99. [DOI: 10.1007/s10863-016-9662-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Asandei A, Chinappi M, Kang HK, Seo CH, Mereuta L, Park Y, Luchian T. Acidity-Mediated, Electrostatic Tuning of Asymmetrically Charged Peptides Interactions with Protein Nanopores. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:16706-16714. [PMID: 26144534 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b04406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite success in probing chemical reactions and dynamics of macromolecules on submillisecond time and nanometer length scales, a major impasse faced by nanopore technology is the need to cheaply and controllably modulate macromolecule capture and trafficking across the nanopore. We demonstrate herein that tunable charge separation engineered at the both ends of a macromolecule very efficiently modulates the dynamics of macromolecules capture and traffic through a nanometer-size pore. In the proof-of-principle approach, we employed a 36 amino acids long peptide containing at the N- and C-termini uniform patches of glutamic acids and arginines, flanking a central segment of asparagines, and we studied its capture by the α-hemolysin (α-HL) and the mean residence time inside the pore in the presence of a pH gradient across the protein. We propose a solution to effectively control the dynamics of peptide interaction with the nanopore, with both association and dissociation reaction rates of peptide-α-HL interactions spanning orders of magnitude depending upon solution acidity on the peptide addition side and the transmembrane electric potential, while preserving the amplitude of the blockade current signature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Asandei
- †Department of Interdisciplinary Research, Alexandru I. Cuza University, Iasi, Romania
| | - Mauro Chinappi
- ‡Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Hee-Kyoung Kang
- §Department of Biomedical Science and Research Center for Proteineous Materials, Chosun University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Chang Ho Seo
- ∥Department of Bioinformatics, Kongju National University, Kongju, South Korea
| | - Loredana Mereuta
- ⊥Department of Physics, Alexandru I. Cuza University, Iasi, Romania
| | - Yoonkyung Park
- §Department of Biomedical Science and Research Center for Proteineous Materials, Chosun University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Tudor Luchian
- ⊥Department of Physics, Alexandru I. Cuza University, Iasi, Romania
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Abstract
The field of mitochondrial ion channels has recently seen substantial progress, including the molecular identification of some of the channels. An integrative approach using genetics, electrophysiology, pharmacology, and cell biology to clarify the roles of these channels has thus become possible. It is by now clear that many of these channels are important for energy supply by the mitochondria and have a major impact on the fate of the entire cell as well. The purpose of this review is to provide an up-to-date overview of the electrophysiological properties, molecular identity, and pathophysiological functions of the mitochondrial ion channels studied so far and to highlight possible therapeutic perspectives based on current information.
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Flinner N, Ellenrieder L, Stiller SB, Becker T, Schleiff E, Mirus O. Mdm10 is an ancient eukaryotic porin co-occurring with the ERMES complex. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2013; 1833:3314-3325. [PMID: 24135058 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2013.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2013] [Revised: 09/20/2013] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial β-barrel proteins fulfill central functions in the outer membrane like metabolite exchange catalyzed by the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) and protein biogenesis by the central components of the preprotein translocase of the outer membrane (Tom40) or of the sorting and assembly machinery (Sam50). The mitochondrial division and morphology protein Mdm10 is another essential outer membrane protein with proposed β-barrel fold, which has so far only been found in Fungi. Mdm10 is part of the endoplasmic reticulum mitochondria encounter structure (ERMES), which tethers the ER to mitochondria and associates with the SAM complex. In here, we provide evidence that Mdm10 phylogenetically belongs to the VDAC/Tom40 superfamily. Contrary to Tom40 and VDAC, Mdm10 exposes long loops towards both sides of the membrane. Analyses of single loop deletion mutants of Mdm10 in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveal that the loops are dispensable for Mdm10 function. Sequences similar to fungal Mdm10 can be found in species from Excavates to Fungi, but neither in Metazoa nor in plants. Strikingly, the presence of Mdm10 coincides with the appearance of the other ERMES components. Mdm10's presence in both unikonts and bikonts indicates an introduction at an early time point in eukaryotic evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Flinner
- JWGU Frankfurt am Main, Cluster of Excellence Macromolecular Complexes, Centre of Membrane Proteomics, Department of Biosciences, Max-von-Laue Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lars Ellenrieder
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, Universität Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany; Fakultät für Biologie, Universität Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian B Stiller
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, Universität Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany; Fakultät für Biologie, Universität Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Becker
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, Universität Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany; BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies, Universität Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Enrico Schleiff
- JWGU Frankfurt am Main, Cluster of Excellence Macromolecular Complexes, Centre of Membrane Proteomics, Department of Biosciences, Max-von-Laue Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Oliver Mirus
- JWGU Frankfurt am Main, Cluster of Excellence Macromolecular Complexes, Centre of Membrane Proteomics, Department of Biosciences, Max-von-Laue Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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Bartsch P, Harsman A, Wagner R. Single channel analysis of membrane proteins in artificial bilayer membranes. Methods Mol Biol 2013; 1033:345-61. [PMID: 23996188 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-487-6_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The planar lipid bilayer technique is a powerful experimental approach for electrical single channel recordings of pore-forming membrane proteins in a chemically well-defined and easily modifiable environment. Here we provide a general survey of the basic materials and procedures required to set up a robust bilayer system and perform electrophysiological single channel recordings of reconstituted proteins suitable for the in-depth characterization of their functional properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Bartsch
- Biophysics, Department of Biology/Chemistry, University of Osnabrueck, Osnabrueck, Germany
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Lamichhane U, Islam T, Prasad S, Weingart H, Mahendran KR, Winterhalter M. Peptide translocation through the mesoscopic channel: binding kinetics at the single molecule level. EUROPEAN BIOPHYSICS JOURNAL: EBJ 2012; 42:363-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00249-012-0885-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Revised: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Bartsch P, Walter C, Selenschik P, Honigmann A, Wagner R. Horizontal Bilayer for Electrical and Optical Recordings. MATERIALS 2012. [PMCID: PMC5449052 DOI: 10.3390/ma5122705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Bartsch
- Biophysics, Department of Biology/Chemistry, University Osnabrueck, Barbarastr. 13, Osnabrueck 49076, Germany; E-Mails: (P.B.); (C.W.); (P.S.); (A.H.)
- Ionovation GmbH, Westerbreite 7, Osnabrueck 49084, Germany
| | - Claudius Walter
- Biophysics, Department of Biology/Chemistry, University Osnabrueck, Barbarastr. 13, Osnabrueck 49076, Germany; E-Mails: (P.B.); (C.W.); (P.S.); (A.H.)
- Ionovation GmbH, Westerbreite 7, Osnabrueck 49084, Germany
| | - Philipp Selenschik
- Biophysics, Department of Biology/Chemistry, University Osnabrueck, Barbarastr. 13, Osnabrueck 49076, Germany; E-Mails: (P.B.); (C.W.); (P.S.); (A.H.)
| | - Alf Honigmann
- Biophysics, Department of Biology/Chemistry, University Osnabrueck, Barbarastr. 13, Osnabrueck 49076, Germany; E-Mails: (P.B.); (C.W.); (P.S.); (A.H.)
| | - Richard Wagner
- Biophysics, Department of Biology/Chemistry, University Osnabrueck, Barbarastr. 13, Osnabrueck 49076, Germany; E-Mails: (P.B.); (C.W.); (P.S.); (A.H.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +49-541-969-2398; Fax: +49-541-969-2243
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Krüger V, Deckers M, Hildenbeutel M, van der Laan M, Hellmers M, Dreker C, Preuss M, Herrmann JM, Rehling P, Wagner R, Meinecke M. The mitochondrial oxidase assembly protein1 (Oxa1) insertase forms a membrane pore in lipid bilayers. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:33314-26. [PMID: 22829595 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.387563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The inner membrane of mitochondria is especially protein-rich. To direct proteins into the inner membrane, translocases mediate transport and membrane insertion of precursor proteins. Although the majority of mitochondrial proteins are imported from the cytoplasm, core subunits of respiratory chain complexes are inserted into the inner membrane from the matrix. Oxa1, a conserved membrane protein, mediates the insertion of mitochondrion-encoded precursors into the inner mitochondrial membrane. The molecular mechanism by which Oxa1 mediates insertion of membrane spans, entailing the translocation of hydrophilic domains across the inner membrane, is still unknown. We investigated if Oxa1 could act as a protein-conducting channel for precursor transport. Using a biophysical approach, we show that Oxa1 can form a pore capable of accommodating a translocating protein segment. After purification and reconstitution, Oxa1 acts as a cation-selective channel that specifically responds to mitochondrial export signals. The aqueous pore formed by Oxa1 displays highly dynamic characteristics with a restriction zone diameter between 0.6 and 2 nm, which would suffice for polypeptide translocation across the membrane. Single channel analyses revealed four discrete channels per active unit, suggesting that the Oxa1 complex forms several cooperative hydrophilic pores in the inner membrane. Hence, Oxa1 behaves as a pore-forming translocase that is regulated in a membrane potential and substrate-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Krüger
- Biophysik, Universität Osnabrück, FB Biologie/Chemie, D-49034 Osnabrück, Germany
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12
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Harsman A, Niemann M, Pusnik M, Schmidt O, Burmann BM, Hiller S, Meisinger C, Schneider A, Wagner R. Bacterial origin of a mitochondrial outer membrane protein translocase: new perspectives from comparative single channel electrophysiology. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:31437-45. [PMID: 22778261 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.392118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are of bacterial ancestry and have to import most of their proteins from the cytosol. This process is mediated by Tom40, an essential protein that forms the protein-translocating pore in the outer mitochondrial membrane. Tom40 is conserved in virtually all eukaryotes, but its evolutionary origin is unclear because bacterial orthologues have not been identified so far. Recently, it was shown that the parasitic protozoon Trypanosoma brucei lacks a conventional Tom40 and instead employs the archaic translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane (ATOM), a protein that shows similarities to both eukaryotic Tom40 and bacterial protein translocases of the Omp85 family. Here we present electrophysiological single channel data showing that ATOM forms a hydrophilic pore of large conductance and high open probability. Moreover, ATOM channels exhibit a preference for the passage of cationic molecules consistent with the idea that it may translocate unfolded proteins targeted by positively charged N-terminal presequences. This is further supported by the fact that the addition of a presequence peptide induces transient pore closure. An in-depth comparison of these single channel properties with those of other protein translocases reveals that ATOM closely resembles bacterial-type protein export channels rather than eukaryotic Tom40. Our results support the idea that ATOM represents an evolutionary intermediate between a bacterial Omp85-like protein export machinery and the conventional Tom40 that is found in mitochondria of other eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Harsman
- Biophysik, Fachbereich Biologie/Chemie, Universität Osnabrück, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
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Rao S, Schmidt O, Harbauer AB, Schönfisch B, Guiard B, Pfanner N, Meisinger C. Biogenesis of the preprotein translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane: protein kinase A phosphorylates the precursor of Tom40 and impairs its import. Mol Biol Cell 2012; 23:1618-27. [PMID: 22419819 PMCID: PMC3338429 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e11-11-0933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane (TOM) is essential for the import of proteins into mitochondria. Cytosolic protein kinase A phosphorylates the precursor of the channel-forming protein Tom40 and inhibits its import into mitochondria, thus regulating the biogenesis of the protein entry gate of mitochondria. The preprotein translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane (TOM) functions as the main entry gate for the import of nuclear-encoded proteins into mitochondria. The major subunits of the TOM complex are the three receptors Tom20, Tom22, and Tom70 and the central channel-forming protein Tom40. Cytosolic kinases have been shown to regulate the biogenesis and activity of the Tom receptors. Casein kinase 2 stimulates the biogenesis of Tom22 and Tom20, whereas protein kinase A (PKA) impairs the receptor function of Tom70. Here we report that PKA exerts an inhibitory effect on the biogenesis of the β-barrel protein Tom40. Tom40 is synthesized as precursor on cytosolic ribosomes and subsequently imported into mitochondria. We show that PKA phosphorylates the precursor of Tom40. The phosphorylated Tom40 precursor is impaired in import into mitochondria, whereas the nonphosphorylated precursor is efficiently imported. We conclude that PKA plays a dual role in the regulation of the TOM complex. Phosphorylation by PKA not only impairs the receptor activity of Tom70, but it also inhibits the biogenesis of the channel protein Tom40.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjana Rao
- Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, Zentrum für Biochemie und Molekulare Zellforschung, Universität Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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Protein translocation through Tom40: kinetics of peptide release. Biophys J 2012; 102:39-47. [PMID: 22225796 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2011.11.4003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2011] [Revised: 11/08/2011] [Accepted: 11/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial proteins are almost exclusively imported into mitochondria from the cytosol in an unfolded or partially folded conformation. Regardless of whether they are destined for the outer or inner membrane, the intermembrane space, or the matrix, proteins begin the importation process by crossing the mitochondrial outer membrane via a specialized protein import machinery whose main component is the Tom40 channel. High-resolution ion conductance measurements through the Tom40 channel in the presence of the mitochondrial presequence peptide pF(1)β revealed the kinetics of peptide binding. Here we show that the rates for association k(on) and dissociation k(off) strongly depend on the applied transmembrane voltage. Both kinetic constants increase with an increase in the applied voltage. The increase of k(off) with voltage provides strong evidence of peptide translocation. This allows us to distinguish quantitatively between substrate blocking and permeation.
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Gessmann D, Flinner N, Pfannstiel J, Schlösinger A, Schleiff E, Nussberger S, Mirus O. Structural elements of the mitochondrial preprotein-conducting channel Tom40 dissolved by bioinformatics and mass spectrometry. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOENERGETICS 2011; 1807:1647-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2011.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2011] [Revised: 08/12/2011] [Accepted: 08/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Mager F, Gessmann D, Nussberger S, Zeth K. Functional refolding and characterization of two Tom40 isoforms from human mitochondria. J Membr Biol 2011; 242:11-21. [PMID: 21717124 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-011-9372-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2011] [Accepted: 05/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Tom40 proteins represent an essential class of molecules which facilitate translocation of unfolded proteins from the cytosol into the mitochondrial intermembrane space. They are part of a high-molecular mass complex that forms the protein-conducting channel in outer mitochondrial membranes. This study concerns the recombinant expression, purification and folding of amino-terminally truncated variants of the two human Tom40 isoforms for structural biology experiments. Both CD and FTIR secondary structure analysis revealed a dominant beta-sheet structure and a short alpha-helical part for both proteins together with a high thermal stability. Two secondary structure elements can be denatured independently. Reconstitution of the recombinant protein into planar lipid bilayers demonstrated ion channel activity similar to Tom40 purified from Neurospora crassa mitochondrial membranes, but conductivity fingerprints differ from the structurally closely related VDAC proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frauke Mager
- Biophysics Department, Institute of Biology, University of Stuttgart, Germany
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