title: Import of hybrid forms of CYP11A1 into yeast mitochondria.
abstract: Heterologous expression in yeast of mCYP11A1 fusions with different topogenic signals of yeast mitochondrial proteins for artificial channeling to different translocases of the inner membrane was used to gain insight in the mechanism of its topogenesis in mitochondria. To ensure insertion of the CYP11A1 domain into the inner mitochondrial membrane during the process of translocation, topogenic sequences containing transmembrane segments of Bcs1p(1-83), DLD(1-72), and full-sized AAC protein were used when constructing modified forms of CYP11A1, and the Su9(1-112) addressing signal was included to stimulate membrane insertion of CYP11A1 after its translocation to the matrix. Alternatively, to promote slippage of the hybrid molecules into the matrix, the hybrid of mCYP11A1 with the precursor of steroidogenic mitochondria matrix protein adrenodoxin (preAd) was designed. The extra sequences used for intramitochondrial sorting of CYP11A1 apparently ensured predicted topology of hybrid molecules in yeast mitochondria. All of the addressing sequences, containing transmembrane domains, provided effective insertion of the hybrid proteins AAC-mCYP11A1, Bcs1p(1-83)-mCYP11A1, DLD(1-72)-mCYP11A1 and Su9(1-116)-mCYP11A1 into the inner membrane. preAd-mCYP11A1 hybrid molecules were shown to be translocated across the inner membrane and tightly associated with the membrane on its matrix side but not membrane inserted. Measuring specific activities of hybrid proteins in the mitochondrial fractions upon addition of Ad and AdR showed that the hybrids predetermined for cotranslocational insertion of CYP11A1 into the inner membrane were more active in the reaction of cholesterol side-chain cleavage than those destined for insertion on the matrix side of the IM, the Ad-mCYP11A1 hybrid demonstrating only residual enzyme activity. The data obtained reinforce the proposal that complete transfer of the polypeptide chain into the matrix is not a necessary stage in its topogenesis, but rather persistent interaction of the polypeptide chain with the membrane during the process of translocation is of importance for heme binding, folding and membrane insertion.
authors.affiliation: Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119992, Russia.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Minenko
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Novikova
authors.forename: V N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Luzikov
authors.forename: I E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Kovaleva
mesh_terms: D000468:Alkalies; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D019286:Endopeptidase K / Q000378:metabolism; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D051336:Mitochondrial Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D017510:Protein Folding; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D021381:Protein Transport; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000378:metabolism*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000468:Alkalies; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D002784:Cholesterol; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme; D019286:Endopeptidase K