Biosynthesis of mitochondrial membrane proteins: co-ordination with special reference to cytochrome c oxidase

This paper reviews mechanisms by which the rate of synthesis of subunits of mitochondrial inner membrane protein complexes and the assembly of these subunits are co-ordinated. Current models are evaluated and critically discussed in the light of some recent evidences. The focus is on the incorporation of cytoplasmically-synthesized cytochrome c oxidase subunits in the development of a newer model, which introduces some twists into a combination of several current ideas. A mechanism which governs both organized assembly and the co-ordination of rates of polypeptide synthesis is illustrated and the principles of the model are applied to the elucidation of some odd features of certain mutants. The possibilities that mitochondrial ATPase and cytochrome c reductase may also be synthesized and assembled according to this model are discussed.