Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2026

Measurement of Protein Import Capacity of Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria
Published on: January 7, 2022
Regulation of cellular proteostasis via mitochondrial protein import
1New York Medical College , Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.
Abstract:
Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, playing vital roles in energy production and metabolism. Most mitochondrial proteins are encoded in the nuclear DNA and must be synthesized in the cytosol before being transported into the appropriate mitochondrial compartments. Mitochondrial protein import is not only essential for mitochondrial biogenesis but also a crucial regulatory step in mitochondrial proteostasis surveillance and stress response. Additionally, defects in mitochondrial protein import lead to mislocalization of precursor proteins to the cytosol, disrupting cytosolic proteostasis and contributing to various human diseases. This review summarizes recent findings demonstrating that mitochondrial protein import is a key regulator of cellular proteostasis. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'ProteostaSys: a systems view of proteostasis'.
Related Concept Videos
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
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
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...
Mitochondrial Precursor Proteins
Most of the mitochondrial precursors...
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting
Protein Transport into the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane
Transport of mitochondrial precursors across the TIM23 channel is driven by...
Regulated Protein Degradation
Protein degradation plays two important roles in the cells. It helps to protect cells from misfolded or damaged proteins before they lead to a...

