Polypeptides traverse the mitochondrial envelope in an extended state

Rassow, Joachim; Hartl, Franz-Ulrich; Guiard, Bernard; Pfanner, Nikolaus and Neupert, Walter (26. November 1990): Polypeptides traverse the mitochondrial envelope in an extended state. In: FEBS Letters, Vol. 275, No. 1-2: pp. 190-194

Abstract

Most mitochondrial proteins are synthesized as precursors in the cytosol and imported through the contact sites between outer and inner mitochondrial membranes. The molecular mechanism of membrane translocation of precursor proteins is largely unclear. For this report, various hybrid proteins between portions of the precursor of cytochrome b2 and the entire dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) were accumulated in mitochondrial contact sites. We unexpectedly found that about 30 amino acid residues of the polypeptide chain in transit were sufficient to span both membranes. This suggests linear translocation of the polypeptide chain and presents evidence for a high degree of unfolding of polypeptides traversing the mitochondrial membranes.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Keywords: Mitochondria, Contact site, Protein translocation, Protein unfolding
• Faculties: Medicine
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 0014-5793