Importance of conserved hydrophobic pocket region in yeast mitoribosomal mL44 protein for mitotranslation and transcript preference.

The mitochondrial ribosome (mitoribosome) is responsible for the synthesis of key oxidative phosphorylation subunits encoded by the mitochondrial genome. Defects in mitoribosomal function therefore can have serious consequences for the bioenergetic capacity of the cell. Mutation of the conserved mitoribosomal mL44 protein has been directly linked to childhood cardiomyopathy and progressive neurophysiology issues.

Identification of MIMAS, a multifunctional mega-assembly integrating metabolic and respiratory biogenesis factors of mitochondria.

The mitochondrial inner membrane plays central roles in bioenergetics and metabolism and contains several established membrane protein complexes. Here, we report the identification of a mega-complex of the inner membrane, termed mitochondrial multifunctional assembly (MIMAS). Its large size of 3 MDa explains why MIMAS has escaped detection in the analysis of mitochondria so far.

Mutation of the PEBP-like domain of the mitoribosomal MrpL35/mL38 protein results in production of nascent chains with impaired capacity to assemble into OXPHOS complexes.

Located in the central protuberance region of the mitoribosome and mitospecific mL38 proteins display homology to PEBP (Phosphatidylethanolamine Binding Protein) proteins, a diverse family of proteins reported to bind anionic substrates/ligands and implicated in cellular signaling and differentiation pathways. In this study, we have performed a mutational analysis of the yeast mitoribosomal protein MrpL35/mL38 and demonstrate that mutation of the PEBP-invariant ligand binding residues Asp(D)232 and Arg(R)288 impacted MrpL35/mL38's ability to support OXPHOS-based growth of the cell. Furthermore, our data indicate these residues exist in a functionally important charged microenvironment, which also includes Asp(D)167 of MrpL35/mL38 and Arg(R)127 of the neighboring Mrp7/bL27m protein.

The N-terminal region of yeast mitoribosomal Mrp7/bL27m protein serves to optimize translation of nascent chains competent for OXPHOS complex assembly.

The extreme N-terminal residues of the mitochondrial ribosomal bL27m proteins reside within the ribosomal peptidyl transferase center (PTC) and are conserved from their bacterial ancestors. Mutation or truncation of the N-terminal region of the yeast Mrp7/bL27m protein did not inhibit protein synthesis but significantly impacted the efficacy of the mitochondrial translational process with respect to yielding proteins competent to assemble into functional oxidative phosphorylation enzymes. The requirement for the N-terminal residues of Mrp7/bL27m to support normal mitotranslation was more apparent under respiratory growth.

The mitospecific domain of Mrp7 (bL27) supports mitochondrial translation during fermentation and is required for effective adaptation to respiration.

We demonstrate here that mitoribosomal protein synthesis, responsible for the synthesis of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) subunits encoded by the mitochondrial genome, occurs at high levels during glycolysis fermentation and in a manner uncoupled from OXPHOS complex assembly regulation. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the mitospecific domain of Mrp7 (bL27), a mitoribosomal component, is required to maintain mitochondrial protein synthesis during fermentation but is not required under respiration growth conditions. Maintaining mitotranslation under high-glucose-fermentation conditions also involves Mam33 (p32/gC1qR homologue), a binding partner of Mrp7's mitospecific domain, and together they confer a competitive advantage for a cell's ability to adapt to respiration-based metabolism when glucose becomes limiting.

Distinct Roles of Mitochondrial HIGD1A and HIGD2A in Respiratory Complex and Supercomplex Biogenesis.

The mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes are organized as individual complexes and supercomplexes, whose biogenesis remains to be fully understood. To disclose the role of the human Hypoxia Inducible Gene Domain family proteins HIGD1A and HIGD2A in these processes, we generate and characterize HIGD-knockout (KO) cell lines. We show that HIGD2A controls and coordinates the modular assembly of isolated and supercomplexed complex IV (CIV) by acting on the COX3 assembly module.

Hypoxia-inducible gene domain 1 proteins in yeast mitochondria protect against proton leak through complex IV.

Hypoxia-inducible gene domain 1 (HIGD1) proteins are small integral membrane proteins, conserved from bacteria to humans, that associate with oxidative phosphorylation supercomplexes. Using yeast as a model organism, we have shown previously that its two HIGD1 proteins, Rcf1 and Rcf2, are required for the generation and maintenance of a normal membrane potential (ΔΨ) across the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM). We postulated that the lower ΔΨ observed in the absence of the HIGD1 proteins may be due to decreased proton pumping by complex IV (CIV) or enhanced leak of protons across the IMM.

The yeast mitochondrial proteins Rcf1 and Rcf2 support the enzymology of the cytochrome oxidase complex and generation of the proton motive force.

The yeast mitochondrial proteins Rcf1 and Rcf2 are associated with a subpopulation of the cytochrome -cytochrome oxidase supercomplex and have been proposed to play a role in the assembly and/or modulation of the activity of the cytochrome oxidase (complex IV, CIV). Yeast mutants deficient in either Rcf1 or Rcf2 proteins can use aerobic respiration-based metabolism for growth, but the absence of both proteins results in a strong growth defect. In this study, using assorted biochemical and biophysical analyses of Rcf1/Rcf2 single and double null-mutant yeast cells and mitochondria, we further explored how Rcf1 and Rcf2 support aerobic respiration and growth.

MrpL35, a mitospecific component of mitoribosomes, plays a key role in cytochrome oxidase assembly.

Mitoribosomes perform the synthesis of the core components of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system encoded by the mitochondrial genome. We provide evidence that MrpL35 (mL38), a mitospecific component of the yeast mitoribosomal central protuberance, assembles into a subcomplex with MrpL7 (uL5), Mrp7 (bL27), and MrpL36 (bL31) and mitospecific proteins MrpL17 (mL46) and MrpL28 (mL40). We isolated respiratory defective mutant yeast strains, which do not display an overall inhibition in mitochondrial protein synthesis but rather have a problem in cytochrome oxidase complex (COX) assembly.

Mutational Analysis of the QRRQ Motif in the Yeast Hig1 Type 2 Protein Rcf1 Reveals a Regulatory Role for the Cytochrome Oxidase Complex.

The yeast Rcf1 protein is a member of the conserved family of proteins termed the hypoxia-induced gene (domain) 1 (Hig1 or HIGD1) family. Rcf1 interacts with components of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system, in particular the cytochrome (complex III)-cytochrome oxidase (complex IV) supercomplex (termed III-IV) and the ADP/ATP carrier proteins. Rcf1 plays a role in the assembly and modulation of the activity of complex IV; however, the molecular basis for how Rcf1 influences the activity of complex IV is currently unknown.

Supercomplex-associated Cox26 protein binds to cytochrome c oxidase.

Here we identified a hydrophobic 6.4kDa protein, Cox26, as a novel component of yeast mitochondrial supercomplex comprising respiratory complexes III and IV. Multi-dimensional native and denaturing electrophoretic techniques were used to identify proteins interacting with Cox26.

Rcf1 and Rcf2, members of the hypoxia-induced gene 1 protein family, are critical components of the mitochondrial cytochrome bc1-cytochrome c oxidase supercomplex.

We report that Rcf1 (formerly Aim31), a member of the conserved hypoxia-induced gene 1 (Hig1) protein family, represents a novel component of the yeast cytochrome bc(1)-cytochrome c oxidase (COX) supercomplex. Rcf1 (respiratory supercomplex factor 1) partitions with the COX complex, and evidence that it may act as a bridge to the cytochrome bc(1) complex is presented. Rcf1 interacts with the Cox3 subunit and can do so prior to their assembly into the COX complex.

Truncation of the Mrp20 protein reveals new ribosome-assembly subcomplex in mitochondria.

Mitochondrial ribosomal protein 20 (Mrp20) is a component of the yeast mitochondrial large (54S) ribosomal subunit and is homologous to the bacterial L23 protein, located at the ribosomal tunnel exit site. The carboxy-terminal mitochondrial-specific domain of Mrp20 was found to have a crucial role in the assembly of the ribosomes. A new, membrane-bound, ribosomal-assembly subcomplex composed of known tunnel-exit-site proteins, an uncharacterized ribosomal protein, MrpL25, and the mitochondrial peroxiredoxin (Prx), Prx1, accumulates in an mrp20ΔC yeast mutant.

Mapping of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Oxa1-mitochondrial ribosome interface and identification of MrpL40, a ribosomal protein in close proximity to Oxa1 and critical for oxidative phosphorylation complex assembly.

The Oxa1 protein plays a central role in facilitating the cotranslational insertion of the nascent polypeptide chains into the mitochondrial inner membrane. Mitochondrially encoded proteins are synthesized on matrix-localized ribosomes which are tethered to the inner membrane and in physical association with the Oxa1 protein. In the present study we used a chemical cross-linking approach to map the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Oxa1-ribosome interface, and we demonstrate here a close association of Oxa1 and the large ribosomal subunit protein, MrpL40.

Chapter 11 Supercomplex organization of the yeast respiratory chain complexes and the ADP/ATP carrier proteins.

The enzymes involved in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) are coassembled into higher ordered supercomplexes within the mitochondrial inner membrane. The cytochrome bc(1)-cytochrome c oxidase (COX) supercomplex is formed by the coassociation of the two electron transport chain complexes, the cytochrome bc(1) (cytochrome c reductase) and the COX complex. Recent evidence indicates that a diversity in the populations of the cytochrome bc(1)-COX supercomplexes exists within the mitochondria, because different subpopulations of this supercomplex have been shown to further interact with distinct partner complexes (e.

Supercomplex organization of the oxidative phosphorylation enzymes in yeast mitochondria.

Accumulating evidence indicates that the enzymes involved in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) are co-assembled into higher-ordered supercomplexes within the mitochondrial inner membrane. This review will focus largely on the OXPHOS supercomplexes of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The recent evidence to indicate that diversity in the populations of the cytochrome bc (1)-COX supercomplexes exist shall be outlined.

The yeast Aac2 protein exists in physical association with the cytochrome bc1-COX supercomplex and the TIM23 machinery.

The ADP/ATP carrier (AAC) proteins play a central role in cellular metabolism as they facilitate the exchange of ADP and ATP across the mitochondrial inner membrane. We present evidence here that in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mitochondria the abundant Aac2 isoform exists in physical association with the cytochrome c reductase (cytochrome bc(1))-cytochrome c oxidase (COX) supercomplex and its associated TIM23 machinery. Using a His-tagged Aac2 derivative and affinity purification studies, we also demonstrate here that the Aac2 isoform can be affinity-purified with other AAC proteins.

Characterization of domain interfaces in monomeric and dimeric ATP synthase.

We disassembled monomeric and dimeric yeast ATP synthase under mild conditions to identify labile proteins and transiently stable subcomplexes that had not been observed before. Specific removal of subunits alpha, beta, oligomycin sensitivity conferring protein (OSCP), and h disrupted the ATP synthase at the gamma-alpha(3)beta(3) rotor-stator interface. Loss of two F(1)-parts from dimeric ATP synthase led to the isolation of a dimeric subcomplex containing membrane and peripheral stalk proteins thus identifying the membrane/peripheral stalk sectors immediately as the dimerizing parts of ATP synthase.

In vitro analysis of yeast mitochondrial protein import.

This unit describes methods for importing in vitro-translated or recombinant proteins into isolated yeast mitochondria and for exporting mitochondrial proteins translated in the yeast mitochondrial matrix into the inner mitochondrial membrane. The methods use mitochondria isolated from yeast cells and mitochondrial protein precursors derived from an in vitro transcription/translation reaction or purified from an E. coli recombinant protein expression system.

Structural characterization of the transmembrane domain from subunit e of yeast F1Fo-ATP synthase: a helical GXXXG motif located just under the micelle surface.

F1Fo-ATP synthase is a large multiprotein complex, including at least 10 subunits in the membrane-bound Fo-sector. One of these Fo proteins is subunit e (Su e), involved in the stable dimerization of F1Fo-ATP synthase, and required for the establishment of normal cristae membrane architecture. As a step toward enabling structure-function studies of the Fo-sector, the Su e transmembrane region was structurally characterized in micelles.

The F1F0-ATP synthase complex influences the assembly state of the cytochrome bc1-cytochrome oxidase supercomplex and its association with the TIM23 machinery.

The enzyme complexes involved in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation are organized into higher ordered assemblies termed supercomplexes. Subunits e and g (Su e and Su g, respectively) are catalytically nonessential subunits of the F1F0-ATP synthase whose presence is required to directly support the stable dimerization of the ATP synthase complex. We report here that Su g and Su e are also important for securing the correct organizational state of the cytochrome bc1-cytochrome oxidase (COX) supercomplex.

Oxa1 directly interacts with Atp9 and mediates its assembly into the mitochondrial F1Fo-ATP synthase complex.

The yeast Oxa1 protein is involved in the biogenesis of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) machinery. The involvement of Oxa1 in the assembly of the cytochrome oxidase (COX) complex, where it facilitates the cotranslational membrane insertion of mitochondrially encoded COX subunits, is well documented. In this study we have addressed the role of Oxa1, and its sequence-related protein Cox18/Oxa2, in the biogenesis of the F(1)F(o)-ATP synthase complex.

Characterization of Mmp37p, a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondrial matrix protein with a role in mitochondrial protein import.

Many mitochondrial proteins are encoded by nuclear genes and after translation in the cytoplasm are imported via translocases in the outer and inner membranes, the TOM and TIM complexes, respectively. Here, we report the characterization of the mitochondrial protein, Mmp37p (YGR046w) and demonstrate its involvement in the process of protein import into mitochondria. Haploid cells deleted of MMP37 are viable but display a temperature-sensitive growth phenotype and are inviable in the absence of mitochondrial DNA.

The yeast F(1)F(0)-ATP synthase: analysis of the molecular organization of subunit g and the importance of a conserved GXXXG motif.

The F(1)F(0)-ATP synthase enzyme is located in the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it forms dimeric complexes. Dimerization of the ATP synthase involves the physical association of the neighboring membrane-embedded F(0)-sectors. In yeast, the F(0)-sector subunits g and e (Su g and Su e, respectively) play a key role in supporting the formation of ATP synthase dimers.