title: Protein import into yeast mitochondria is accelerated by the outer membrane protein MAS70.
abstract: The yeast mitochondrial outer membrane contains a major 70 kd protein with an amino-terminal hydrophobic membrane anchor and a hydrophilic 60 kd domain exposed to the cytosol. We now show that this protein (which we term MAS70) accelerates the mitochondrial import of many (but not all) precursor proteins. Anti-MAS70 IgGs or removal of MAS70 from the mitochondria by either mild trypsin treatment or by disrupting the nuclear MAS70 gene inhibits import of the F1-ATPase beta-subunit, the ADP/ATP translocator, and of several other precursors into isolated mitochondria by up to 75%, but has little effect on the import of porin. Intact cells of a mas70 null mutant import the F1-ATPase alpha-subunit and beta-subunits, cytochrome c1 and other precursors at least several fold more slowly than wild-type cells. Removal of MAS70 from wild-type mitochondria inhibits binding of the ADP/ATP translocator to the mitochondrial surface, indicating that MAS70 mediates one of the earliest import steps. Several precursors are thus imported by a pathway in which MAS70 functions as a receptor-like component. MAS70 is not essential for import of these precursors, but only accelerates this process.
authors.affiliation: Biocenter, University of Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hines
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Horstmann
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brütsch
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schatz
mesh_terms: D003575:Cytochromes c1 / Q000378:metabolism; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007700:Kinetics; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D033681:Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins; D000090622:Mitochondrial Precursor Protein Import Complex Proteins; D008954:Models, Biological; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D033681:Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins; D000090622:Mitochondrial Precursor Protein Import Complex Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; C489039:TOM70 protein, S cerevisiae; D003575:Cytochromes c1; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases