Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Isolation of mRNAs Associated with Yeast Mitochondria to Study Mechanisms of Localized Translation
Published on: March 14, 2014
Protein import into the yeast mitochondrial matrix. A new translocation intermediate between the two mitochondrial
Abstract:
Import of authentic or artificial precursor proteins into the matrix of isolated yeast mitochondria can proceed via a translocation intermediate that is lodged between the two mitochondrial membranes. The intermediate accumulates when import is arrested by depleting mitochondria of ATP. Generation of the intermediate requires a potential across the inner membrane. The intermediate is membrane-bound, partly or completely processed (depending on the precursor), and chased into the matrix by added ATP. This chase does not require a potential across the inner membrane. The properties of this intermediate support the proposal (Hwang, S., Jascur, J., Vestweber, D., Pon, L., and Schatz, G. (1989) J. Cell Biol. 109, 487-493) that import into the matrix involves two distinct translocation systems in the outer and the inner mitochondrial membrane that are not permanently coupled to each other. Only translocation across the inner membrane requires ATP in the matrix.
Related Concept Videos
Mitochondrial Protein Sorting
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...
Mitochondrial Precursor Proteins
Most of the mitochondrial precursors...
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
Energy to Drive Translocation
Generally, polypeptides are unfolded by two distinct...
Protein Transport into the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane
Transport of mitochondrial precursors across the TIM23 channel is driven by...
Protein Transport to the Inner Chloroplast Membrane

