Precursor of mitochondrial glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase isozyme exists as a dimer

Mitochondrial glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase is synthesized in the cytoplasm as a larger precursor and then imported into mitochondria in association with its processing to mature form. The precursor corresponded to about 0.05-0.1% of the total proteins synthesized on membrane-free polysomes. Gel permeation chromatography showed that the molecular weight of the precursor was about 100,000 daltons, which was slightly larger than that of mature enzyme (homodimer: 45,000 x 2). On the other hand, sodium dodecylsulfate treated precursor had the molecular size (about 50,000 daltons) slightly larger than that of the subunit of mature one by the gel permeation chromatography. These results suggest that the precursor of mitochondrial glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase exists as a dimer.