scholarly journals A High-Resolution Luminescent Assay for Rapid and Continuous Monitoring of Protein Translocation Across Biological Membranes

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gonçalo C. Pereira ◽  
William J. Allen ◽  
Daniel W. Watkins ◽  
Lisa Buddrus ◽  
Dylan Noone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Resolution ◽  
Protein Transport ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Major Step ◽  
Kinetics Parameters ◽  
Luminescent Assay

ABSTRACTProtein translocation is a fundamental process in biology. Major gaps in our understanding of this process arises due the poor sensitivity, low time-resolution and irreproducibility of translocation assays. To address this, we applied NanoLuc split-luciferase to produce a new strategy for measuring protein transport. The system reduces the timescale of data collection from days to minutes, and allows continuous acquisition with a time-resolution in the order of seconds – yielding kinetics parameters suitable for mechanistic elucidation and mathematical fitting. To demonstrate its versatility, we implemented and validated the assay in vitro and in vivo for the bacterial Sec system, and the mitochondrial protein import apparatus. Overall, this technology represents a major step forward, providing a powerful new tool for fundamental mechanistic enquiry of protein translocation and for inhibitor (drug) screening, with an intensity and rigour unattainable through classical methods.

scholarly journals Residues of Tim44 Involved in both Association with the Translocon of the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane and Regulation of Mitochondrial Hsp70 Tethering

2008 ◽  
Vol 28 (13) ◽  
pp. 4424-4433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Schiller ◽  
Yu Chin Cheng ◽  
Qinglian Liu ◽  
William Walter ◽  
Elizabeth A. Craig
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Inner Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Mitochondrial Hsp70 ◽  
Amino Acid Segment

ABSTRACT Translocation of proteins from the cytosol across the mitochondrial inner membrane is driven by the action of the import motor, which is associated with the translocon on the matrix side of the membrane. It is well established that an essential peripheral membrane protein, Tim44, tethers mitochondrial Hsp70 (mtHsp70), the core of the import motor, to the translocon. This Tim44-mtHsp70 interaction, which can be recapitulated in vitro, is destabilized by binding of mtHsp70 to a substrate polypeptide. Here we report that the N-terminal 167-amino-acid segment of mature Tim44 is sufficient for both interaction with mtHsp70 and destabilization of a Tim44-mtHsp70 complex caused by client protein binding. Amino acid alterations within a 30-amino-acid segment affected both the release of mtHsp70 upon peptide binding and the interaction of Tim44 with the translocon. Our results support the idea that Tim44 plays multiple roles in mitochondrial protein import by recruiting Ssc1 and its J protein cochaperone to the translocon and coordinating their interactions to promote efficient protein translocation in vivo.

Dynamic organization of the mitochondrial protein import machinery

2016 ◽  
Vol 397 (11) ◽  
pp. 1097-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian P. Straub ◽  
Sebastian B. Stiller ◽  
Nils Wiedemann ◽  
Nikolaus Pfanner
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Membrane Dynamics ◽  
Intermembrane Space ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein Import ◽  
Precursor Proteins ◽  
Dynamic Cooperation

Abstract Mitochondria contain elaborate machineries for the import of precursor proteins from the cytosol. The translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane (TOM) performs the initial import of precursor proteins and transfers the precursors to downstream translocases, including the presequence translocase and the carrier translocase of the inner membrane, the mitochondrial import and assembly machinery of the intermembrane space, and the sorting and assembly machinery of the outer membrane. Although the protein translocases can function as separate entities in vitro, recent studies revealed a close and dynamic cooperation of the protein import machineries to facilitate efficient transfer of precursor proteins in vivo. In addition, protein translocases were found to transiently interact with distinct machineries that function in the respiratory chain or in the maintenance of mitochondrial membrane architecture. Mitochondrial protein import is embedded in a regulatory network that ensures protein biogenesis, membrane dynamics, bioenergetic activity and quality control.

Influence of aging on protein import into cardiac mitochondria

1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (6) ◽  
pp. H2983-H2988 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. E. Craig ◽  
D. A. Hood
Keyword(s):  
Protein Import ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
In Vitro Transcription ◽  
Heat Shock Protein 60 ◽  
Cardiac Mitochondria ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Matrix Compartment

This study was undertaken to determine whether age-related changes in the content and composition of cardiac mitochondria could be due, in part, to alterations in mitochondrial protein import. Precursor proteins malate dehydrogenase and ornithine carbamoyltransferase were synthesized by in vitro transcription and translation and were incubated with mitochondria isolated from the hearts of young (4-mo), old (22-mo), and senescent (28-mo) rats. Mitochondria from senescent animals exhibited a twofold higher import rate of both precursors into the matrix compartment compared with mitochondria from young and old animals. The expression of glucose regulated protein 75 and heat shock protein 60, two matrix chaperonins that are essential for import, was elevated in the mitochondria of both old and senescent animals before the observed changes in import. Import was equally affected in senescent and young heart mitochondria by inhibition of cardiolipin, a mitochondrial phospholipid involved in protein translocation. The results indicate that the altered mitochondrial phenotype evident in the aging myocardium cannot be accounted for by reduced rates of protein import. Furthermore, levels of cardiolipin and matrix chaperonins do not appear to be rate-limiting steps in the import process. These data suggest that the protein import step of mitochondrial assembly is subject to adaptations under pathophysiological conditions.

scholarly journals Novel Role of Calmodulin in Regulating Protein Transport to Mitochondria in a Unicellular Eukaryote

2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (22) ◽  
pp. 4579-4593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Aich ◽  
Chandrima Shaha
Keyword(s):  
Leishmania Donovani ◽  
Protein Transport ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Unicellular Eukaryote ◽  
Mitochondrial Targeting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mitochondrial Translocation ◽  
Tryparedoxin Peroxidase

Lower eukaryotes like the kinetoplastid parasites are good models to study evolution of cellular pathways during steps to eukaryogenesis. In this study, a kinetoplastid parasite,Leishmania donovani, was used to understand the process of mitochondrial translocation of a nucleus-encoded mitochondrial protein, the mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase (mTXNPx). We report the presence of an N-terminal cleavable mitochondrial targeting signal (MTS) validated through deletion and grafting experiments. We also establish a novel finding of calmodulin (CaM) binding to the MTS of mTXNPx through specific residues. Mutation of CaM binding residues, keeping intact the residues involved in mitochondrial targeting and biochemical inhibition of CaM activity bothin vitroandin vivo, prevented mitochondrial translocation. Through reconstituted import assays, we demonstrate obstruction of mitochondrial translocation either in the absence of CaM or Ca2+or in the presence of CaM inhibitors. We also demonstrate the prevention of temperature-driven mTXNPx aggregation in the presence of CaM. These findings establish the idea that CaM is required for the transport of the protein to mitochondria through maintenance of translocation competence posttranslation.

scholarly journals The peroxisome counteracts oxidative stresses by suppressing catalase import via Pex14 phosphorylation

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanji Okumoto ◽  
Mahmoud El Shermely ◽  
Masanao Natsui ◽  
Hidetaka Kosako ◽  
Ryuichi Natsuyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Peroxisomal Membrane ◽  
Oxidative Stresses ◽  
Signal Type

Most of peroxisomal matrix proteins including a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-decomposing enzyme, catalase, are imported in a peroxisome-targeting signal type-1 (PTS1)-dependent manner. However, little is known about regulation of the membrane-bound protein import machinery. Here, we report that Pex14, a central component of the protein translocation complex in peroxisomal membrane, is phosphorylated in response to oxidative stresses such as H2O2 in mammalian cells. The H2O2-induced phosphorylation of Pex14 at Ser232 suppresses peroxisomal import of catalase in vivo and selectively impairs in vitro the interaction of catalase with the Pex14-Pex5 complex. A phosphomimetic mutant Pex14-S232D elevates the level of cytosolic catalase, but not canonical PTS1-proteins, conferring higher cell resistance to H2O2. We thus suggest that the H2O2-induced phosphorylation of Pex14 spatiotemporally regulates peroxisomal import of catalase, functioning in counteracting action against oxidative stress by the increase of cytosolic catalase.

scholarly journals Determinism and contingencies shaped the evolution of mitochondrial protein import

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (6) ◽  
pp. e2017774118
Author(s):  
Samuel Rout ◽  
Silke Oeljeklaus ◽  
Abhijith Makki ◽  
Jan Tachezy ◽  
Bettina Warscheid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Proteomics ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Hydrophobic Interactions ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Membrane Receptors ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein Import ◽  
Substrate Preferences ◽  
Import Receptors

Mitochondrial protein import requires outer membrane receptors that evolved independently in different lineages. Here we used quantitative proteomics and in vitro binding assays to investigate the substrate preferences of ATOM46 and ATOM69, the two mitochondrial import receptors of Trypanosoma brucei. The results show that ATOM46 prefers presequence-containing, hydrophilic proteins that lack transmembrane domains (TMDs), whereas ATOM69 prefers presequence-lacking, hydrophobic substrates that have TMDs. Thus, the ATOM46/yeast Tom20 and the ATOM69/yeast Tom70 pairs have similar substrate preferences. However, ATOM46 mainly uses electrostatic, and Tom20 hydrophobic, interactions for substrate binding. In vivo replacement of T. brucei ATOM46 by yeast Tom20 did not restore import. However, replacement of ATOM69 by the recently discovered Tom36 receptor of Trichomonas hydrogenosomes, while not allowing for growth, restored import of a large subset of trypanosomal proteins that lack TMDs. Thus, even though ATOM69 and Tom36 share the same domain structure and topology, they have different substrate preferences. The study establishes complementation experiments, combined with quantitative proteomics, as a highly versatile and sensitive method to compare in vivo preferences of protein import receptors. Moreover, it illustrates the role determinism and contingencies played in the evolution of mitochondrial protein import receptors.

scholarly journals Identification of Tam41 maintaining integrity of the TIM23 protein translocator complex in mitochondria

2006 ◽  
Vol 174 (5) ◽  
pp. 631-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasushi Tamura ◽  
Yoshihiro Harada ◽  
Koji Yamano ◽  
Kazuaki Watanabe ◽  
Daigo Ishikawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Import ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Molecular Size ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Inner Mitochondrial Membrane ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein Import ◽  
The Matrix

Newly synthesized mitochondrial proteins are imported into mitochondria with the aid of protein translocator complexes in the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes. We report the identification of yeast Tam41, a new member of mitochondrial protein translocator systems. Tam41 is a peripheral inner mitochondrial membrane protein facing the matrix. Disruption of the TAM41 gene led to temperature-sensitive growth of yeast cells and resulted in defects in protein import via the TIM23 translocator complex at elevated temperature both in vivo and in vitro. Although Tam41 is not a constituent of the TIM23 complex, depletion of Tam41 led to a decreased molecular size of the TIM23 complex and partial aggregation of Pam18 and -16. Import of Pam16 into mitochondria without Tam41 was retarded, and the imported Pam16 formed aggregates in vitro. These results suggest that Tam41 facilitates mitochondrial protein import by maintaining the functional integrity of the TIM23 protein translocator complex from the matrix side of the inner membrane.

scholarly journals Protein import into mitochondria: the requirement for external ATP is precursor-specific whereas intramitochondrial ATP is universally needed for translocation into the matrix.

1994 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Wachter ◽  
G Schatz ◽  
B S Glick
Keyword(s):  
Protein Import ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Inner Membrane ◽  
In Vitro System ◽  
Mitochondrial Inner Membrane ◽  
Precursor Proteins ◽  
The Matrix

ATP is needed for the import of precursor proteins into mitochondria. However, the role of ATP and its site of action have been unclear. We have now investigated the ATP requirements for protein import into the mitochondrial matrix. These experiments employed an in vitro system that allowed ATP levels to be manipulated both inside and outside the mitochondrial inner membrane. Our results indicate that there are two distinct ATP requirements for mitochondrial protein import. ATP in the matrix is always needed for complete import of precursor proteins into this compartment, even when the precursors are presented to mitochondria in an unfolded conformation. In contrast, the requirement for external ATP is precursor-specific; depletion of external ATP strongly inhibits import of some precursors but has little or no effect with other precursors. A requirement for external ATP can often be overcome by denaturing the precursor with urea. We suggest that external ATP promotes the release of precursors from cytosolic chaperones, whereas matrix ATP drives protein translocation across the inner membrane.

scholarly journals Peroxisome counteracts oxidative stresses by suppressing catalase import via Pex14 phosphorylation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanji Okumoto ◽  
Mahmoud El Shermely ◽  
Masanao Natsui ◽  
Hidetaka Kosako ◽  
Ryuichi Natsuyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Protein Import ◽  
Protein Translocation ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Peroxisomal Membrane ◽  
Oxidative Stresses ◽  
Signal Type

AbstractMost of peroxisomal matrix proteins including a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-decomposing enzyme, catalase, are imported in a peroxisome-targeting signal type-1 (PTS1)-dependent manner. However, little is known about regulation of the membrane-bound protein import machinery. Here, we report that Pex14, a central component of the protein translocation complex in peroxisomal membrane, is phosphorylated in response to oxidative stresses such as H2O2 in mammalian cells. H2O2-induced phosphorylation of Pex14 at Ser232 suppresses peroxisomal import of catalase in vivo and selectively decreases formation of PTS1 receptor Pex5-mediated ternary complex of Pex14 with catalase in vitro. Phosphomimetic Pex14-S232D mutant elevates the level of cytosolic catalase, but not canonical PTS1-proteins, conferring higher cell resistance to H2O2. We thus suggest that H2O2-induced phosphorylation of Pex14 spatiotemporally regulates peroxisomal import of catalase, functioning in counteracting action against oxidative stress by the increase of cytosolic catalase.

scholarly journals Slow viral propagation during initial phase of infection leads to viral persistence in mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haifeng C. Xu ◽  
Ruifeng Wang ◽  
Prashant V. Shinde ◽  
Lara Walotka ◽  
Anfei Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Immune Evasion ◽  
Protein Transport ◽  
Adaptive Immune System ◽  
Viral Persistence ◽  
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis ◽  
Type I ◽  
Viral Propagation

AbstractImmune evasion of pathogens can modify the course of infection and impact viral persistence and pathology. Here, using different strains of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) model system, we show that slower propagation results in limited type I interferon (IFN-I) production and viral persistence. Specifically, cells infected with LCMV-Docile exhibited reduced viral replication when compared to LCMV-WE and as a consequence, infection with LCMV-Docile resulted in reduced activation of bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and IFN-I production in vitro in comparison with LCMV-WE. In vivo, we observed a reduction of IFN-I, T cell exhaustion and viral persistence following infection of LCMV-Docile but not LCMV-WE. Mechanistically, block of intracellular protein transport uncovered reduced propagation of LCMV-Docile when compared to LCMV-WE. This reduced propagation was critical in blunting the activation of the innate and adaptive immune system. When mice were simultaneously infected with LCMV-Docile and LCMV-WE, immune function was restored and IFN-I production, T cell effector functions as well as viral loads were similar to that of mice infected with LCMV-WE alone. Taken together, this study suggests that reduced viral propagation can result in immune evasion and viral persistence.

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