Monitoring mitochondrial precursor processing and presequence peptide degradation

The maturation of mitochondrial presequence precursor proteins after their import into the organelle is a complex process that requires the interaction of several mitochondrial proteases. Precursor processing by the mitochondrial presequence proteases is directly coupled to the proteolytic turnover of the cleaved targeting signal by mitochondrial presequence peptidases. Dysfunction of these enzymes is associated with a variety of human diseases, including neurological disorders, cardiomyopathies and renal diseases. In this chapter, we describe experimental approaches to study the activity of the major mitochondrial presequence protease (MPP) and of the presequence peptidases. In vitro assays and soluble mitochondrial extracts allow the assessment and experimental manipulation of peptidase and protease activity using immunoblotting, fluorescence measurements and autoradiography as readouts. In particular, the assays allow manipulation at multiple levels including in vivo, in organello or in soluble extracts/in vitro. Purification of the yeast heterodimeric MPP allows in vitro reconstitution of the initial presequence processing step using radiolabeled precursors as substrates. Application of soluble mitochondrial extracts enables direct assessment of MPP processing and presequence peptide turnover which can be easily manipulated and is uncoupled from protein translocation across the mitochondrial membranes. The techniques presented in this chapter allow in-depth analysis of precursor processing and presequence turnover as well as direct assessment of the impact of patient mutations on the activity of the presequence processing machinery.