Import and assembly of proteins into mitochondria of mammalian cells.
Most of our knowledge regarding the process of protein import into mitochondria has come from research employing fungal systems. This review outlines recent advances in our understanding of this process in mammalian cells. In particular, we focus on the characterisation of cytosolic molecular chaperones that are involved in binding to mitochondrial-targeted preproteins, as well as the identification of both conserved and novel subunits of the import machineries of the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes. We also discuss diseases associated with defects in import and assembly of mitochondrial proteins and what is currently known about the regulation of import in mammals.
Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe University, , Melbourne 3086, Australia. N.Hoogenraad@latrobe.edu.au
Nicholas J
NJ
Hoogenraad
Linda A
LA
Ward
Michael T
MT
Ryan
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism*; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D000090622:Mitochondrial Precursor Protein Import Complex Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000378:metabolism; D017510:Protein Folding; D021381:Protein Transport; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D000090622:Mitochondrial Precursor Protein Import Complex Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; C509769:TIMELESS protein, human; C509770:Timeless protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors