Sengers syndrome in Asian Indians – two novel mutations and variant phenotype-genotype correlation

Role of the Mitochondrial Protein Import Machinery and Protein Processing in Heart Disease

Mitochondria are essential organelles for cellular energy production, metabolic homeostasis, calcium homeostasis, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. About 99% of mammalian mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nuclear genome, synthesized as precursors in the cytosol, and imported into mitochondria by mitochondrial protein import machinery. Mitochondrial protein import systems function not only as independent units for protein translocation, but also are deeply integrated into a functional network of mitochondrial bioenergetics, protein quality control, mitochondrial dynamics and morphology, and interaction with other organelles. Mitochondrial protein import deficiency is linked to various diseases, including cardiovascular disease. In this review, we describe an emerging class of protein or genetic variations of components of the mitochondrial import machinery involved in heart disease. The major protein import pathways, including the presequence pathway (TIM23 pathway), the carrier pathway (TIM22 pathway), and the mitochondrial intermembrane space import and assembly machinery, related translocases, proteinases, and chaperones, are discussed here. This review highlights the importance of mitochondrial import machinery in heart disease, which deserves considerable attention, and further studies are urgently needed. Ultimately, this knowledge may be critical for the development of therapeutic strategies in heart disease.

Mitochondrial protein import dysfunction: mitochondrial disease, neurodegenerative disease and cancer

The majority of proteins localised to mitochondria are encoded by the nuclear genome, with approximately 1500 proteins imported into mammalian mitochondria. Dysfunction in this fundamental cellular process is linked to a variety of pathologies including neuropathies, cardiovascular disorders, myopathies, neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, demonstrating the importance of mitochondrial protein import machinery for cellular function. Correct import of proteins into mitochondria requires the co-ordinated activity of multimeric protein translocation and sorting machineries located in both the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes, directing the imported proteins to the destined mitochondrial compartment. This dynamic process maintains cellular homeostasis, and its dysregulation significantly affects cellular signalling pathways and metabolism. This review summarises current knowledge of the mammalian mitochondrial import machinery and the pathological consequences of mutation of its components. In addition, we will discuss the role of mitochondrial import in cancer, and our current understanding of the role of mitochondrial import in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Mitochondrial diseases caused by dysfunctional mitochondrial protein import

Mitochondria are essential organelles which perform complex and varied functions within eukaryotic cells. Maintenance of mitochondrial health and functionality is thus a key cellular priority and relies on the organelle's extensive proteome. The mitochondrial proteome is largely encoded by nuclear genes, and mitochondrial proteins must be sorted to the correct mitochondrial sub-compartment post-translationally. This essential process is carried out by multimeric and dynamic translocation and sorting machineries, which can be found in all four mitochondrial compartments. Interestingly, advances in the diagnosis of genetic disease have revealed that mutations in various components of the human import machinery can cause mitochondrial disease, a heterogenous and often severe collection of disorders associated with energy generation defects and a multisystem presentation often affecting the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Here, we review our current understanding of mitochondrial protein import systems in human cells and the molecular basis of mitochondrial diseases caused by defects in these pathways.