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Related Concept Videos

Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria01:19

Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria

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Mitochondrial precursors are translocated to the internal subcompartments via independent mechanisms involving distinct protein machineries called translocases.
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,...
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Protein Transport into the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane01:34

Protein Transport into the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

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Nuclear encoded mitochondrial precursors are imported to the inner membrane in a multistep process involving two separate translocons, TIM22 and TIM23. TIM23 is a cation-selective pore that remains closed by the N terminal segment of the protein. Negative charges on the TIM23 act as a receptor for the incoming precursor, pulling the positively charged matrix-targeting sequence for peptide insertion and translocation.
Transport of mitochondrial precursors across the TIM23 channel is driven by...
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Mitochondrial Protein Sorting01:39

Mitochondrial Protein Sorting

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Mitochondria are double-membrane organelles of the eukaryotes involved in cellular metabolism, signaling, ATP synthesis, and programmed cell death.  Each of these processes requires specific proteins and enzymes that must be correctly sorted to the right mitochondrial subcompartment for the proper functioning of the organelle.
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Mitochondrial Precursor Proteins01:39

Mitochondrial Precursor Proteins

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Mitochondrial precursors are partially unfolded or loosely folded polypeptide chains. Newly synthesized precursors are inhibited from spontaneously folding into their native conformation by the cytosolic chaperones, heat shock proteins 70 (Hsp70), and mitochondrial import stimulation factors (MSFs). Precursors bound to MSFs are guided to the TOM70-TOM37 receptors, while precursors bound to Hsp70  chaperones are targetted to TOM20-TOM22 receptor complexes.
Most of the mitochondrial...
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Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes02:19

Export of Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Genes

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A eukaryotic cell can have up to three different types of genetic systems: nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast. During evolution, organelles have exported many genes to the nucleus; this transfer is still ongoing in some plant species. Approximately 18% of the Arabidopsis thaliana nuclear genome is thought to be derived from the chloroplast’s cyanobacterial ancestor, and around 75% of the yeast genome derived from the mitochondria’s bacterial ancestor. This export has occurred...
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Energy to Drive Translocation01:37

Energy to Drive Translocation

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Mitochondrial protein import is powered by two distinct energy sources: ATP hydrolysis and electrochemical potential across the inner membrane. Newly synthesized precursors are bound by cytosolic chaperones of the Hsp70 family, which guide them to the import receptors on the mitochondrial surface. Utilizing the energy of ATP hydrolysis, Hsp70 chaperones transfer these precursors to the TOM receptors on the mitochondrial outer membrane.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 11, 2026

Measurement of Protein Import Capacity of Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria
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Measurement of Protein Import Capacity of Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria

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DNA Import into Mitochondria.

Yu M Konstantinov1, A Dietrich, F Weber-Lotfi

  • 1Siberian Institute of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, 664033, Russia. yukon@sifibr.irk.ru.

Biochemistry. Biokhimiia
|December 3, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mitochondria in plants, animals, and yeasts can actively take up DNA, suggesting a role in horizontal gene transfer. The exact mechanisms and biological significance of this DNA import remain largely unknown.

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Studying Protein Import into Chloroplasts Using Protoplasts
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Author Spotlight: High-Throughput Image-Based Quantification of Mitochondrial DNA Synthesis and Distribution

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 11, 2026

Measurement of Protein Import Capacity of Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria
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Measurement of Protein Import Capacity of Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria

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Studying Protein Import into Chloroplasts Using Protoplasts
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Author Spotlight: High-Throughput Image-Based Quantification of Mitochondrial DNA Synthesis and Distribution

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Area of Science:

  • Mitochondrial Biology
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Cellular Transport

Background:

  • Mitochondrial function in eukaryotes requires macromolecule transport systems.
  • Mitochondria exhibit natural competence for DNA uptake, potentially facilitating horizontal gene transfer.
  • Mechanisms of DNA import into mitochondria are less understood than protein and tRNA import.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of DNA import into eukaryotic mitochondria.
  • To explore the specificity and features of mitochondrial DNA import in plants, animals, and yeasts.
  • To discuss potential mechanisms and experimental evidence for DNA transfer into mitochondria.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of current research on mitochondrial DNA import.
  • Analysis of experimental data on macromolecule transport into mitochondria.
  • Comparative study of DNA import mechanisms across different eukaryotic kingdoms.

Main Results:

  • Mitochondria actively import DNA, with implications for organelle genome evolution.
  • Specificities and unique features of DNA import exist in plants, animals, and yeasts.
  • Evidence suggests multiple, not fully elucidated, mechanisms for mitochondrial DNA transfer.
  • Potential overlap exists between mechanisms for protein, tRNA, and DNA import.

Conclusions:

  • Mitochondrial DNA import is a significant biological process with implications for genetic exchange.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial DNA import.
  • The transport pathways for proteins, tRNAs, and DNA into mitochondria may share common elements.