How lipids modulate mitochondrial protein import

18.02.2015

Böttinger L, Ellenrieder L, Becker T.

J Bioenerg Biomembr. 2016;48(2):125-35.

J Bioenerg Biomembr.             online article

Mitochondria have to import the vast majority of their proteins, which are synthesized as precursors on cytosolic ribosomes. Different membrane-bound protein translocases mediate sorting of the precursors to the different mitochondrial subcompartments. The transport across and into the inner membrane is driven by the membrane potential, which is generated by the respiratory chain. Recent studies revealed mitochondrial lipids modulate protein import on various levels involving precursor targeting, membrane potential generation, stability and activity of protein translocases.