Redox signals and oxidative stress in the control of mitochondrial protein import

Mitochondrial protein import is essential for organelle biogenesis and cellular homeostasis. It operates in an environment that is intrinsically shaped by redox chemistry. Mitochondria are major sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which arise as by-products of oxidative phosphorylation. Cells therefore maintain sophisticated ROS-handling systems, including compartmentalized antioxidant networks, to balance redox signaling with protection from oxidative stress. Increasing evidence indicates that these redox conditions directly influence mitochondrial protein import at multiple levels. In this review, we provide an overview of ROS production, ROS signaling, and oxidative stress in relation to mitochondrial protein import. We outline the major mitochondrial protein import pathways, and discuss how their activity is modulated by redox-dependent mechanisms. A particular focus is placed on the mitochondrial disulfide relay system of the intermembrane space, which directly couples protein import to redox chemistry through oxidative folding, and how it is influenced by the local redox environment. Collectively, we propose that mitochondrial protein import is partially governed by redox-dependent mechanisms, enabling integration of metabolic state, stress responses, and signaling pathways.