Characterization of Mitochondrial YME1L Protease Oxidative Stress-Induced Conformational State.

Oxidative stress is a common challenge to mitochondrial function where reactive oxygen species are capable of significant organelle damage. The generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species occurs in the inner membrane and matrix compartments as a consequence of subunit function in the electron transport chain and citric acid cycle, respectively. Maintenance of mitochondrial proteostasis and stress response is facilitated by compartmentalized proteases that couple the energy of ATP hydrolysis to unfolding and the regulated removal of damaged, misfolded, or aggregated proteins.