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Updated: Oct 25, 2025
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Assessment of Submitochondrial Protein Localization in Budding Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Published on: July 19, 2021
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UbiB proteins regulate cellular CoQ distribution in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Zachary A Kemmerer1,2, Kyle P Robinson1,2, Jonathan M Schmitz1,2
1Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, WI, USA.
Nature Communications
|August 7, 2021
Summary
Researchers identified two proteins, Cqd1 and Cqd2, that control the movement of Coenzyme Q (CoQ) within yeast cells. These proteins are crucial for distributing CoQ, impacting cellular antioxidant defense and mitochondrial function.
Area of Science:
- Mitochondrial biology
- Cellular biochemistry
- Oxidative stress
Background:
- Coenzyme Q (CoQ, ubiquinone) is vital for mitochondrial energy production and acts as a cellular antioxidant.
- The mechanism by which CoQ is transported from its synthesis site in mitochondria to other cellular locations is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing Coenzyme Q trafficking within the cell.
- To identify proteins responsible for the mobilization of CoQ from the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae genetics for protein function analysis.
- Employed biochemical fractionation to isolate cellular components.
- Conducted lipid profiling to assess CoQ distribution.
Main Results:
- Identified two conserved mitochondrial proteins, Ypl109c (Cqd1) and Ylr253w (Cqd2), involved in CoQ trafficking.
- Demonstrated that Cqd1 and Cqd2 reciprocally regulate CoQ distribution.
- Observed that loss of Cqd1 enhances resistance to oxidative stress, while loss of Cqd2 has opposite effects.
- Found that the kinase/ATPase domains of Cqd1 and Cqd2 are essential for their function, similar to Coq8.
Conclusions:
- Discovered protein machinery critical for Coenzyme Q trafficking in yeast.
- Provided insights into the interplay between mitochondria and other cellular compartments regarding CoQ distribution.
- Highlighted the role of Cqd1 and Cqd2 in managing cellular antioxidant capacity through CoQ mobilization.
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