title: Copper import into the mitochondrial matrix in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is mediated by Pic2, a mitochondrial carrier family protein.
abstract: Saccharomyces cerevisiae must import copper into the mitochondrial matrix for eventual assembly of cytochrome c oxidase. This copper is bound to an anionic fluorescent molecule known as the copper ligand (CuL). Here, we identify for the first time a mitochondrial carrier family protein capable of importing copper into the matrix. In vitro transport of the CuL into the mitochondrial matrix was saturable and temperature-dependent. Strains with a deletion of PIC2 grew poorly on copper-deficient non-fermentable medium supplemented with silver and under respiratory conditions when challenged with a matrix-targeted copper competitor. Mitochondria from pic2Δ cells had lower total mitochondrial copper and exhibited a decreased capacity for copper uptake. Heterologous expression of Pic2 in Lactococcus lactis significantly enhanced CuL transport into these cells. Therefore, we propose a novel role for Pic2 in copper import into mitochondria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Vest
authors.forename: Scot C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Leary
authors.forename: Dennis R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Winge
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Cobine
mesh_terms: D001692:Biological Transport; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D006801:Humans; D013294:Lactococcus lactis / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D010641:Phenotype; D028061:Phosphate Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012834:Silver / Q000378:metabolism; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; C435722:PIC2 protein, S cerevisiae; D028061:Phosphate Transport Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D012834:Silver; D003300:Copper; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase
keywords: Copper; Copper Transport; Cytochrome c Oxidase; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial Carrier Family; Silver; Yeast; Yeast Metabolism