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Energy to Drive Translocation

Energy to Drive Translocation

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.
Generally, polypeptides are unfolded by two distinct...

Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria

Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria

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,...

Mitochondrial Protein Sorting

Mitochondrial Protein Sorting

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.
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...

Mechanical Protein Functions

Mechanical Protein Functions

Proteins perform many mechanical functions in a cell. These proteins can be classified into two general categories- proteins that generate mechanical forces and proteins that are subjected to mechanical forces. Proteins providing mechanical support to the structure of the cell, such as keratin, are subjected to mechanical force, whereas proteins involved in cell movement and transport of molecules across cell membranes, such as an ion pump, are examples of generating mechanical force.

Termination of Translation

Termination of Translation

The large ribosomal subunit has several important structures essential to translation. These include the peptidyl transferase center (PTC) - which is the site where the peptide bond is formed - and a large, internal, water-filled tube through which the nascent polypeptide moves. This latter structure is called the Peptide Exit Tunnel, and it begins at the PTC and spans the body of the large ribosomal subunit. During translation, as the nascent polypeptide chain is synthesized, it passes through...

Porin Insertion in the Outer Mitochondrial Membrane

Porin Insertion in the Outer Mitochondrial Membrane

Porins are beta-barrel proteins translocated to the mitochondrial outer membrane through the TOM complex into the intermembrane space. Porin precursors bind TIM chaperones within the intermembrane space and are guided to the Sorting and Assembly Machinery complex or SAM complex on the outer mitochondrial membrane.
Three models describe the assembly of porins by the SAM complex and their insertion into the outer membrane. Model 1 suggests that porins are assembled outside the SAM channel as the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Mitochondrial Transformation in Baker's Yeast to Study Translation and Respiratory Complex Assembly

Mitochondrial Transformation in Baker's Yeast to Study Translation and Respiratory Complex Assembly

Published on: June 7, 2024

Gravitational and mechanical forces shape mitochondrial translation.

Taisei Wakigawa^1,2, Yusuke Kimura^1,2, Mari Mito²

¹Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan.

Nature Communications

|June 30, 2026

Summary

Gravity impacts gene expression by regulating mitochondrial protein synthesis. Microgravity reduces mitochondrial translation, affecting cell adhesion and activating specific signaling pathways. This reveals how cells sense and respond to mechanical forces.

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Last Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Mitochondrial Transformation in Baker's Yeast to Study Translation and Respiratory Complex Assembly

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Published on: June 7, 2024

Labelling and Visualization of Mitochondrial Genome Expression Products in Baker's Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

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Rapid Isolation of the Mitoribosome from HEK Cells

Rapid Isolation of the Mitoribosome from HEK Cells

Published on: October 4, 2018

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Gravitational Biology

Background:

Life on Earth evolved under gravity, influencing biological processes.
The role of gravity in gene expression is known, but molecular mechanisms are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the molecular mechanisms by which gravity influences cellular processes.
To understand how mitochondria utilize gravity to regulate protein synthesis.

Main Methods:

Genome-wide ribosome profiling in mammalian cells and Caenorhabditis elegans under microgravity.
Analysis of cell adhesion pathways, including laminin-integrin interactions.
Investigation of signaling pathways involving FAK, RAC1, PAK1, BAD, and Bcl-2 family proteins.
Examination of the mitochondrial fatty acid synthesis (mtFAS) pathway and its role in translation.

Main Results:

Microgravity significantly reduces mitochondrial translation in both cell types.
Attenuation of cell adhesion via laminin-integrin interactions is linked to reduced mitochondrial translation.
A signaling cascade involving cytosolic proteins and the mtFAS pathway activates mitochondrial translation.
mtFAS consumes mitochondrial malonyl-CoA, decreasing translational machinery malonylation and enhancing translation rates.

Conclusions:

Mitochondria use gravity to control protein synthesis through a complex signaling network.
This mechanism links gravitational force and cell adhesion to mitochondrial translation.
The findings provide insights into the mechano-response of skeletal muscles and cellular adaptation to gravity.