Gene MRP-L4, encoding mitochondrial ribosomal protein YmL4, is indispensable for proper non-respiratory cell functions in yeast.

In order to characterize individual protein components of the mitochondrial (mt) ribosome for regulatory, functional and evolutionary studies, the yeast nuclear gene MRP-L4 (accession No. Z30582), coding for the mt ribosomal protein (MRP) YmL4, has been cloned using oligodeoxyribonucleotides (oligos) deduced from a partial amino acid (aa) sequence [Graack et al., FEBS Lett. 242 (1988) 4-8] as screening probes. MRP-L4 is located on chromosome XII and codes for a slightly basic protein of 319 aa. The first 14 aa have not been found in the mature protein, and putatively form a signal peptide that is cleaved off during or after mt import. YmL4 has an N terminus very rich in Pro residues, and at its C terminus contains four hydrophobic domains. YmL4 shows no significant sequence similarity to any other sequence from the databases. Gene disruption shows the MRP-L4 product to be indispensable for mt function in cells growing on non-fermentable carbon sources. In contrast to nearly all other MRPs investigated so far, gene disruption of MRP-L4 also affects growth of yeast cells on fermentable carbon sources, suggesting additional cytosolic and/or mt functions of YmL4 besides its involvement in mt protein biosynthesis.