Cited by 557Mitochondrial Function and PathologyRedox biology and oxidative stressAutophagy in Disease and Therapy

A Disulfide Relay System in the Intermembrane Space of Mitochondria that Mediates Protein Import

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Mesecke, Nikola, Terziyska, Nadia, Kozany, Christian, Baumann, Frank, Neupert, Walter, Hell, Kai, Herrmann, Johannes M.·2005·Cell

Abstract

We describe here a pathway for the import of proteins into the intermembrane space (IMS) of mitochondria. Substrates of this pathway are proteins with conserved cysteine motifs, which are critical for import. After passage through the TOM channel, these proteins are covalently trapped by Mia40 via disulfide bridges. Mia40 contains cysteine residues, which are oxidized by the sulfhydryl oxidase Erv1. Depletion of Erv1 or conditions reducing Mia40 prevent protein import. We propose that Erv1 and Mia40 function as a disulfide relay system that catalyzes the import of proteins into the IMS by an oxidative folding mechanism. The existence of a disulfide exchange system in the IMS is unexpected in view of the free exchange of metabolites between IMS and cytosol via porin channels. We suggest that this process reflects the evolutionary origin of the IMS from the periplasmic space of the prokaryotic ancestors of mitochondria.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cell.2005.04.011

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  • A disulfide-relay system in yeast is linked to import of proteins into the mitochondrial intermembrane space.

    “This process has been most widely studied in yeast strains where a disulfide-relay system has been shown to be linked to the import of proteins into the intermembrane space of mitochondria (292).”

    From Redox regulation of mitochondrial function (2012) · cites this paper as [292]

  • GSH prevents overoxidation of redox-active thiols during disulfide bond formation within the mitochondrial intermembrane space.

    “GSH plays an important role in this process by preventing the overoxidation of redox-active thiols during disulfide bond formation within the intermembrane space (40, 292).”

    From Redox regulation of mitochondrial function (2012) · cites this paper as [292]

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Authors
Mesecke, N., Terziyska, N., Kozany, C., Baumann, F., Neupert, W., Hell, K., & Herrmann, J. M.
Affiliations
  • Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (DE)
  • Adolf-Butenandt-Institut für Physiologische Chemie, Physikalische Biochemie und Zellbiologie (DE)
Corresponding author
Herrmann, Johannes M.
Venue
Cell
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2005-07
Volume
121
Issue
7
Pages
1059-1069
ISSN
0092-8674 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2114341896
Cited by
557
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 30 · 2014: 28 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 51
FWCI
15.21
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cell (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Redox biology and oxidative stress
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
Keywords
mitochondrial intermembrane space, protein import, Mia40, Erv1, sulfhydryl oxidase, TOM complex, oxidative protein folding, disulfide bonds, cysteine motifs, mitochondrial evolution, porin channels
MeSH terms
Copper Transport Proteins, Mitochondrial Precursor Protein Import Complex Proteins, Binding Sites, Cysteine, Disulfides, Intracellular Membranes, Mitochondria, Oxidation-Reduction, Prokaryotic Cells, Protein Binding, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Protein Folding, Molecular Chaperones, Evolution, Molecular, Reducing Agents, Amino Acid Motifs, Protein Transport, Mitochondrial Proteins, Cation Transport Proteins, Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins, Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins, Oxidoreductases Acting on Sulfur Group Donors

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