Purification of a GTP-binding protein localized in mitochondria

A particulate fraction consisting of heavy organelles such as nuclei and mitochondria was prepared from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. From this fraction we have purified a GTP-binding protein with a molecular mass of 33 kDa (MTG33) by guanidine hydrochloride extraction followed by four steps of column chromatography. The Kd value of MTG33 for GTP was 17 nM. [alpha-32P]GTP-binding to MTG33 was inhibited by GTP and GDP, but not appreciably by ATP, CTP, UTP, or GMP. MTG33 hydrolyzed GTP to GDP at a rate of 4.5 mmol/min/mol protein. Subcellular fractionation analysis of mouse liver revealed that the heavy mitochondrial fraction contained the highest level of MTG33. Furthermore, dual immunofluorescence examination indicated that the staining of NIH 3T3 cells with anti-MTG33 antibody is coincident with the distribution of mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase. Of the mouse organs examined, the heart contained the highest level of MTG33. These results strongly suggest that MTG33 is a GTP-binding protein located in mitochondria.