Interaction between mitochondrial precursor proteins and cytosolic soluble domains of mitochondrial import receptors, Tom20 and Tom70, measured by surface plasmon resonance

The chaperone-binding activity of the mitochondrial surface receptor Tom70 protects the cytosol against mitoprotein-induced stress

Most mitochondrial proteins are synthesized as precursors in the cytosol and post-translationally transported into mitochondria. The mitochondrial surface protein Tom70 acts at the interface of the cytosol and mitochondria. In vitro import experiments identified Tom70 as targeting receptor, particularly for hydrophobic carriers. Using in vivo methods and high-content screens, we revisit the question of Tom70 function and considerably expand the set of Tom70-dependent mitochondrial proteins. We demonstrate that the crucial activity of Tom70 is its ability to recruit cytosolic chaperones to the outer membrane. Indeed, tethering an unrelated chaperone-binding domain onto the mitochondrial surface complements most of the defects caused by Tom70 deletion. Tom70-mediated chaperone recruitment reduces the proteotoxicity of mitochondrial precursor proteins, particularly of hydrophobic inner membrane proteins. Thus, our work suggests that the predominant function of Tom70 is to tether cytosolic chaperones to the outer mitochondrial membrane, rather than to serve as a mitochondrion-specifying targeting receptor.

A novel mutation in TTC19 associated with isolated complex III deficiency, cerebellar hypoplasia, and bilateral basal ganglia lesions

Isolated complex III (cIII) deficiency is a rare biochemical finding in mitochondrial disorders, mainly associated with mutations in mitochondrial DNA MTCYB gene, encoding cytochrome b, or in assembly factor genes (BCS1L, TTC19, UQCC2, and LYRM7), whereas mutations in nuclear genes encoding cIII structural subunits are extremely infrequent. We report here a patient, a 9 year old female born from first cousin related parents, with normal development till 18 months when she showed unsteady gait with frequent falling down, cognitive, and speech worsening. Her course deteriorated progressively. Brain MRI showed cerebellar vermis hypoplasia and bilateral lentiform nucleus high signal lesions. Now she is bed ridden with tetraparesis and severely impaired cognitive and language functions. Biochemical analysis revealed isolated cIII deficiency in muscle, and impaired respiration in fibroblasts. We identified a novel homozygous rearrangement in TTC19 (c.213_229dup), resulting in frameshift with creation of a premature termination codon (p.Gln77Argfs*30). Western blot analysis demonstrated the absence of TTC19 protein in patient's fibroblasts, while Blue-Native Gel Electrophoresis analysis revealed the presence of cIII-specific assembly intermediates. Mutations in TTC19 have been rarely associated with mitochondrial disease to date, being described in about ten patients with heterogeneous clinical presentations, ranging from early onset encephalomyopathy to adult forms with cerebellar ataxia. Contrariwise, the biochemical defect was a common hallmark in TTC19 mutant patients, confirming the importance of TTC19 in cIII assembly/stability. Therefore, we suggest extending the TTC19 mutational screening to all patients with cIII deficiency, independently from their phenotypes.

Biogenesis of mitochondrial proteins

Depending on the organism, mitochondria consist approximately of 500-1,400 different proteins. By far most of these proteins are encoded by nuclear genes and synthesized on cytosolic ribosomes. Targeting signals direct these proteins into mitochondria and there to their respective subcompartment: the outer membrane, the intermembrane space (IMS), the inner membrane, and the matrix. Membrane-embedded translocation complexes allow the translocation of proteins across and, in the case of membrane proteins, the insertion into mitochondrial membranes. A small number of proteins are encoded by the mitochondrial genome: Most mitochondrial translation products represent hydrophobic proteins of the inner membrane which-together with many nuclear-encoded proteins-form the respiratory chain complexes. This chapter gives an overview on the mitochondrial protein translocases and the mechanisms by which they drive the transport and assembly of mitochondrial proteins.

Membrane-embedded C-terminal Segment of Rat Mitochondrial TOM40 Constitutes Protein-conducting Pore with Enriched β-Structure

TOM40 is the central component of the preprotein translocase of the mitochondrial outer membrane (TOM complex). We purified recombinant rat TOM40 (rTOM40), which was refolded in Brij35 after solubilization from inclusion bodies by guanidine HCl. rTOM40 (i) consisted of a 63% beta-sheet structure and (ii) bound a matrix-targeted preprotein with high affinity and partially translocated it into the rTOM40 pore. This partial translocation was inhibited by stabilization of the mature domain of the precursor. (iii) rTOM40 bound preprotein initially through ionic interactions, followed by salt-resistant non-ionic interactions, and (iv) exhibited presequence-sensitive, cation-specific channel activity in reconstituted liposomes. Based on the domain structure of rTOM40 deduced by protease treatment, we purified the elastase-resistant and membrane-embedded C-terminal segment (rTOM40(DeltaN165)) as a recombinant protein with 62% beta-structure that exhibited properties comparable with those of full-size rTOM40. We concluded that the membrane-embedded C-terminal half of rTOM40 constitutes the preprotein recognition domain with an enriched beta-structure, which forms the preprotein conducting pore containing a salt-sensitive cis-binding site and a salt-resistant trans-binding site.

Mitochondrial Protein Import

Protein translocation across the outer mitochondrial membrane is mediated by the translocator called the TOM (translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane) complex. The TOM complex possesses two presequence binding sites on the cytosolic side (the cis site) and on the intermembrane space side (the trans site). Here we analyzed the requirement of presequence elements and subunits of the TOM complex for presequence binding to the cis and trans sites of the TOM complex. The N-terminal 14 residues of the presequence of subunit 9 of F(0)-ATPase are required for binding to the trans site. The interaction between the presequence and the cis site is not sufficient to anchor the precursor protein to the TOM complex. Tom7 constitutes or is close to the trans site and has overlapping functions with the C-terminal intermembrane space domain of Tom22 in the mitochondrial protein import.

Functions of outer membrane receptors in mitochondrial protein import

Most mitochondrial proteins are synthesized in the cytosol as precursor proteins and are imported into mitochondria. The targeting signals for mitochondria are encoded in the presequences or in the mature parts of the precursor proteins, and are decoded by the receptor sites in the translocator complex in the mitochondrial outer membrane. The recently determined NMR structure of the general import receptor Tom20 in a complex with a presequence peptide reveals that, although the amphiphilicity and positive charges of the presequence is essential for the import ability of the presequence, Tom20 recognizes only the amphiphilicity, but not the positive charges. This leads to a new model that different features associated with the mitochondrial targeting sequence of the precursor protein can be recognized by the mitochondrial protein import system in different steps during the import.

Analysis of protein-protein interactions in mitochondria by coimmunoprecipitation and chemical cross-linking

Many different techniques have been employed to analyze protein-protein interactions. Coimmunoprecipitation and chemical cross-linking have been used extensively to study mitochondrial biogenesis. Both techniques have proven to be powerful methods to investigate the sequential interactions of precursor proteins with the various components of the translocation machineries in the mitochondrial membranes. Similarly, protein-protein interactions during processes such as protein synthesis, folding, and degradation can be studied. Moreover, the composition of the oligomeric protein complexes of mitochondria, such as respiratory chain complexes or protein translocation machineries, can be determined. The general principles and protocols of these methods are described and illustrated with typical examples.

Recent trends in protein biochip technology

This article presents current trends and advances in protein biochip technologies that rely upon extraction and retention of target proteins from liquid media. Analytical strengths as well as technical challenges for these evolving platforms are presented with particular emphasis on selectivity, sensitivity, throughput and utility in the post-genome era. A general review of protein biochip technology is provided, which delineates approaches for protein biochip format and operation, as well as protein detection. A focused discussion of three protein biochip technologies, Biomolecular Interaction Analysis (Biacore, Uppsala, Sweden), Surface Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionisation (SELDI) ProteinChip Arrays (Ciphergen Biosystems, Fremont, CA, USA) and Fluorescent Planar Wave Guide (Zeptosens, Witterswil, Switzerland), follows along with examples of relevant applications.

Recognition of preproteins by the isolated TOM complex of mitochondria

A multisubunit complex in the mitochondrial outer membrane, the TOM complex, mediates targeting and membrane translocation of nuclear-encoded preproteins. We have isolated the TOM holo complex, containing the preprotein receptor components Tom70 and Tom20, and the TOM core complex, which lacks these receptors. The interaction of recombinant mitochondrial preproteins with both types of soluble TOM complex was analyzed. Preproteins bound efficiently in a specific manner to the isolated complexes in the absence of chaperones and lipids in a bilayer structure. Using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, a dissociation constant in the nanomolar range was determined. The affinity was lower when the preprotein was stabilized in its folded conformation. Following the initial binding, the presequence was transferred into the translocation pore in a step that required unfolding of the mature part of the preprotein. This translocation step was also mediated by protease-treated TOM holo complex, which contains almost exclusively Tom40. Thus, the TOM core complex, consisting of Tom40, Tom22, Tom6 and Tom7, is a molecular machine that can recognize and partially translocate mitochondrial precursor proteins.

Targeting and insertion of nuclear-encoded preproteins into the mitochondrial outer membrane

Most mitochondrial proteins are synthesized in the cytosol as preproteins with a cleavable presequence and are delivered to the import receptors on the mitochondria by cytoplasmic import factors. The proteins are then imported to the intramitochondrial compartments by the import systems of the outer and inner membranes, TOM and TIM. Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are synthesized without a cleavable presequence and most of them contain hydrophobic transmembrane domains, which, in conjunction with the flanking segments, function as the mitochondria import signals. Some of the proteins are inserted into the outer membrane by the TOM machinery; the import signal probably arrests further translocation and is released from the translocation channel to the lipid bilayer. The other proteins are inserted into the membrane by a novel pathway independent of the TOM machinery. This article reviews recent developments in the biogenesis of mitochondrial outer membrane proteins.

Survey of the 1998 optical biosensor literature

The utilization of optical biosensors to study molecular interactions continues to expand. In 1998, 384 articles relating to the use of commercial biosensors were published in 130 different journals. While significant strides in new applications and methodology were made, a majority of the biosensor literature is of rather poor quality. Basic information about experimental conditions is often not presented and many publications fail to display the experimental data, bringing into question the credibility of the results. This review provides suggestions on how to collect, analyze and report biosensor data.