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Mia40, a novel factor for protein import into the intermembrane space of mitochondria is able to bind metal ions
Author(s) -
Terziyska Nadia,
Lutz Thomas,
Kozany Christian,
Mokranjac Dejana,
Mesecke Nikola,
Neupert Walter,
Herrmann Johannes M.,
Hell Kai
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2004.11.072
Subject(s) - intermembrane space , mitochondrial intermembrane space , microbiology and biotechnology , transport protein , cytosol , mitochondrion , biophysics , mitochondrial membrane transport protein , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , inner mitochondrial membrane , bacterial outer membrane , enzyme , escherichia coli , gene
Many proteins located in the intermembrane space (IMS) of mitochondria are characterized by a low molecular mass, contain highly conserved cysteine residues and coordinate metal ions. Studies on one of these proteins, Tim13, revealed that net translocation across the outer membrane is driven by metal‐dependent folding in the IMS [1]. We have identified an essential component, Mia40/Tim40/Ykl195w, with a highly conserved domain in the IMS that is able to bind zinc and copper ions. In cells lacking Mia40, the endogenous levels of Tim13 and other metal‐binding IMS proteins are strongly reduced due to the impaired import of these proteins. Furthermore, Mia40 directly interacts with newly imported Tim13 protein. We conclude that Mia40 is the first essential component of a specific translocation pathway of metal‐binding IMS proteins.