title: J protein cochaperone of the mitochondrial inner membrane required for protein import into the mitochondrial matrix.
abstract: The major Hsp70 of the mitochondrial matrix (Ssc1 in yeast) is critically important for the translocation of proteins from the cytosol, across the mitochondrial inner membrane, and into the matrix. Tim44, a peripheral inner membrane protein with limited sequence similarity to the J domain of J-type cochaperones, tethers Ssc1 to the import channel. Here we report that, unlike a J protein, Tim44 does not stimulate the ATPase activity of Ssc1, nor does it affect the stimulation by either a known mitochondrial J protein or a peptide substrate. Thus, we conclude that Tim44 does not function as a J protein cochaperone of Ssc1; rather, it tethers Ssc1 to the import channel through interactions independent of those critical for J protein function. However, a previously unstudied essential gene, PAM18, encodes an 18-kDa protein that contains a J domain and is localized to the mitochondrial inner membrane. Pam18 stimulates the ATPase activity of Ssc1; depletion of Pam18 in vivo disrupts import of proteins into the mitochondrial matrix. We propose that Pam18 is the J protein partner for Ssc1 at the import channel and is critical for Ssc1's function in protein import.
authors: Department of Biochemistry, 433 Babcock Drive, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
authors: Patrick D
authors: PD
authors: D'Silva
authors: Brenda
authors: B
authors: Schilke
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Walter
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Andrew
authors: Elizabeth A
authors: EA
authors: Craig
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D018832:Molecular Chaperones; C101767:SSC1 protein, S cerevisiae; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D000252:Calcium-Transporting ATPases