RRC ID 83188
Author Hirata R, Mogi Y, Takahashi K, Nozaki H, Higashiyama T, Yoshida Y.
Title Simple prerequisite of presequence for mitochondrial protein import in the unicellular red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae.
Journal J Cell Sci
Abstract Mitochondrial biogenesis relies on hundreds of proteins that are derived from genes encoded in the nucleus. According to the characteristic properties of N-terminal targeting peptides (TPs) and multi-step authentication by the protein translocase called the TOM complex, nascent polypeptides satisfying the requirements are imported into mitochondria. However, it is unknown whether eukaryotic cells with a single mitochondrion per cell have a similar complexity of presequence requirements for mitochondrial protein import compared to other eukaryotes with multiple mitochondria. Based on putative mitochondrial TP sequences in the unicellular red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae, we designed synthetic TPs and showed that functional TPs must have at least one basic residue and a specific amino acid composition, although their physicochemical properties are not strictly determined. Combined with the simple composition of the TOM complex in C. merolae, our results suggest that a regional positive charge in TPs is verified solely by TOM22 for mitochondrial protein import in C. merolae. The simple authentication mechanism indicates that the monomitochondrial C. merolae does not need to increase the cryptographic complexity of the lock-and-key mechanism for mitochondrial protein import.
Volume 137(14)
Published 2024-7-15
DOI 10.1242/jcs.262042
PII 358939
PMID 38940185
PMC PMC11298712
MeSH Amino Acid Sequence Mitochondria* / metabolism Mitochondrial Proteins* / genetics Mitochondrial Proteins* / metabolism Protein Transport* Rhodophyta* / genetics Rhodophyta* / metabolism
IF 4.573
Resource
Algae NIES-3377