The structure of the second cytosolic loop of the yeast mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier AAC2 is dependent on the conformational state

To detect structural changes in the second cytosolic loop of the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier of Saccharomyces cerevisiae AAC2, we prepared 20 single cysteine mutants by replacing each amino acid in the S213 to L232 region. All single cysteine mutants were fully functional, because they could restore growth on glycerol of a yeast strain lacking functional ADP/ATP carriers. First, these single-Cys mutants were treated with carboxyatractyloside to lock the carrier in the cytosolic state or with bongkrekic acid to generate the matrix state, and then with the membrane-impermeable SH reagent eosin-5-maleimide (EMA) to probe accessibility. The amino acid residues S213C, L214C, F231C and L232C were not labeled, indicating that these 4 residues must have been buried in the membrane, whereas the region between residues K215 and S230 is accessible to labeling and must, therefore, have protruded into the aqueous phase. Residue L218C showed strong resistance against EMA labeling regardless of the state of the carrier, but the reason for such behavior is unclear. On the contrary, the labeling of the residues between F227C and S230C was strongly dependent on the state of the carrier. Thus, the C-terminal region of the second cytosolic loop in AAC2 changes its environment when the carrier cycles between the matrix and cytosolic state.     

Adenine nucleotide and phosphate transport systems of mitochondria. Relative location of sulfhydryl groups based on the use of the novel fluorescent probe eosin-5-maleimide

Eosin-5-maleimide is impermeable to the inner mitochondrial membrane, exhibiting essentially no reactivity with matrix glutathione or with beta-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase located on the matrix surface of the inner membrane. In intact mitochondria, eosin-5-maleimide is unreactive with the ADP/ATP antiporter even under conditions which promote maximal labeling by N-[3H]ethylmaleimide (i.e., ADP present). However, eosin-5-maleimide readily labels the ADP/ATP antiporter in "inverted" inner membrane vesicles even in the presence of N-ethylmaleimide. Labeling is prevented if the vesicles are prepared from mitochondria pretreated with carboxyatractyloside. In contrast to the ADP/ATP antiporter, essential sulfhydryl groups of the Pi/H+ symporter are accessible to eosin-5-maleimide in intact mitochondria with optimal inhibition of phosphate transport being observed at 25 degrees C. Eosin-5-maleimide also prevents labeling of the Pi/H+ symporter by N-[3H]ethylmaleimide. These results show that essential sulfhydryl groups of the ADP/ATP antiporter and the Pi/H+ symporter have differing reactivities and locations in functionally intact mitochondria. With respect to eosin-5-maleimide, sulfhydryl groups of the ADP/ATP carrier occur in two distinct classes, both of which are inaccessible in intact mitochondria. Only one class, depending on conditions, can be exposed in submitochondrial particles. In contrast, sulfhydryl group(s) of the Pi/H+ symporter behave as a single reactive class which is readily accessible in mitochondria at 25 degrees C.     

How does the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier distinguish transportable ATP and ADP from untransportable AMP and GTP?Dynamic modeling of the recognition/translocation process in the major substrate binding region

To understand the transport mechanism of the bovine heart mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier at the atomic level, we studied the four-dimensional features of the interaction of various purine nucleotides with the adenine nucleotide binding region (ABR) consisting of Arg(151)-Asp(167) in the second loop facing the matrix side. After three-dimensional modeling of ABR based on the experimental results, its structural changes on interaction with purine nucleotides were examined by molecular dynamics computation at 300 K. ATP/ADP were translocated to a considerable degree from the matrix side to the inner membrane region accompanied by significant backbone conformational changes, whereas neither appreciable translocation nor a significant conformational change was observed with the untransportable nucleotides AMP/GTP. The results suggested that binding of the terminal phosphate group and the adenine ring of ATP/ADP with Arg(151) and Lys(162), respectively, and subsequent interaction of a phosphate group(s) other than the terminal phosphate with Lys(162) triggered the expansion and subsequent contraction of the backbone conformation of ABR, leading to the translocation of ATP/ADP. Based on a simplified molecular dynamic simulation, we propose a dynamic model for the initial recognition process of ATP/ADP with the carrier.     

Specific labeling of the bovine heart mitochondrial phosphate carrier with fluorescein 5-isothiocyanate: roles of Lys185 and putative adenine nucleotide recognition site in phosphate transport

The amine/SH-modifying fluorescein 5-isothiocyanate (FITC) specifically labeled Lys(185) in the putative membrane-spanning region of the phosphate carrier from both the cytosolic and matrix sides of bovine heart mitochondria at 0 degrees C and pH 7.2, and the labeling inhibited the phosphate transport. Nonmodifying fluorescein derivatives having similar structural features to those of ADP and ATP (Majima, E., Yamaguchi, N., Chuman, H., Shinohara, Y., Ishida, M., Goto, S., and Terada, H. (1998) Biochemistry 37, 424-432) inhibited the specific FITC labeling and phosphate transport, but the nonfluorescein phenylisothiocyanate did not inhibit FITC labeling, suggesting that there is a region recognizing the adenine nucleotides in the phosphate carrier and that this region is closely associated with the transport activity. The phosphate transport inhibitor pyridoxal 5'-phosphate inhibited the specific FITC labeling, possibly due to competitive modification of Lys(185). In addition, FITC inhibited the ADP transport and specific labeling of the ADP/ATP carrier with the fluorescein SH reagent eosin 5-maleimide. Based on these results, we discuss the structural features of the phosphate carrier in relation to its transport activity.     

The carboxyl-terminal two-thirds of the ADP/ATP carrier polypeptide contains sufficient information to direct translocation into mitochondria

The precursor of the mitochondrial inner membrane protein ADP/ATP carrier is cytoplasmically synthesized without an amino-terminal peptide extension. We constructed a truncated precursor lacking the 103 amino acids from the amino terminus (about a third of the protein). Import of the truncated precursor into mitochondria showed the import characteristics of the authentic precursor, including nucleoside triphosphate dependence, requirement for a protease-sensitive component on the mitochondrial surface, two-step specific binding to the outer membrane, and membrane potential-dependent translocation into the inner membrane. We conclude that, in contrast to all other mitochondrial precursor proteins studied so far, domains of the ADP/ATP carrier distant from the amino terminus can carry specific targeting information for transport into mitochondria.     

Coupling between proteolytic processing and translocation of the precursor of the F1-ATPase beta-subunit during its import into mitochondria of intact cells

The intracellular transport of newly synthesized beta-subunits of the F1-ATPase (beta F1) and of newly synthesized ADP/ATP carrier was followed in isolated rat hepatoma cells. As tested by rapid fractionation of [35S]methionine pulse- and pulse-chase-labeled cells and by sensitivity of labeled polypeptides to externally added protease, the import of beta F1 into mitochondria was strongly inhibited by the additional low concentrations of rhodamine 6G (R6G). In contrast, the import of the ADP/ATP carrier into mitochondria was not affected by the inhibitor. The results imply that the proteolytic processing of the precursor of beta F1 is coupled to its translocation across the mitochondrial membrane.     

Transport of proteins into mitochondria. Posttranslational transfer of ADP/ATP carrier into mitochondria in vitro

The mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier is an integral transmembrane protein of the inner membrane. It is synthesized on cytoplasmic ribosomes. Kinetic data suggested that this protein is transferred into mitochondria in a posttranslational manner. The following results provide further evidence for such a mechanism and provide information on its details. 1. In homologous and heterologous translation systems th newly synthesized ADP/ATP carrier protein is present in the postribosomal supernatant. 2. Analysis by density gradient centrifugation and gel filtration shows, that the ADP/ATP carrier molecules in the postribosomal fraction are present as soluble complexes with apparent molecular weights of about 120 000 and 500 000 or larger. The carrier binds detergents such as Triton X-100 and deoxycholate forming mixed micelles with molecular weights of about 200 000-400 000. 3. Incubation of a postribosomal supernatant of a reticulocyte lysate containing newly synthesized ADP/ATP carrier with mitochondria isolated from Neurospora spheroplasts results in efficient transfer of the carrier into mitochondria. About 20-30% of the transferred carrier are resistant to proteinase in whole mitochondria. The authentic mature protein is also largley resistant to proteinase in whole mitochondria and sensitive after lysis of mitochondria with detergent. Integrity of mitochondria is a preprequisite for translocation into proteinase resistant position. 4. The transfer in vitro into a proteinase-resistant form is inhibited by the uncoupler carbonyl-cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone but not the proteinase-sensitive binding. These observations suggest that the posttranslational transfer of ADP/ATP carrier occurs via the cytosolic space through a soluble oligomeric precursor form. This precursor is taken up by intact mitochondria into an integral position in the membrane. These findings are considered to be of general importance for the intracellular transfer of insoluble membrane proteins. They support the view that such proteins can exist in a water-soluble form as precursors and upon integration into the membrane undergo a conformational change. Uptake into the membrane may involve the cleavage of an additional sequence in some proteins, but this appears not to be a prerequisite as demonstrated by the ADP/ATP carrier protein.     

Irreversible extrusion of the first loop facing the matrix of the bovine heart mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier by labeling the Cys(56) residue with the SH-reagent methyl methanethiosulfonate

The effect of the SH-reagent methyl methanethiosulfonate (MMTS) on the ADP/ATP carrier of bovine heart mitochondria was studied under various conditions. MMTS labeled predominately Cys(56) in the first loop facing the matrix (loop M1), and the labeling inhibited ADP transport via the carrier. The transport inhibition was found to be due to fixation of the carrier in the m-state conformation. MMTS labeling was suggested not to affect ADP binding to its major binding site. These features were the same as those of another commonly used SH-reagent, N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). Although the van der Waals volume of the non-hydrogen-bondable methylthio group of MMTS is much smaller than that of the ethylsuccinimide group of NEM, modification of Cys(56) inhibited the interconversion between the m- and c-state conformation. The mechanism by which MMTS inhibited the transport activity is discussed in terms of stabilization of conformation of the loop M1.     

Two distinct regions of the yeast mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier are photolabeled by a new ADP analogue: 2-azido-3'-O-naphthoyl-[beta-32P]ADP. Identification of the binding segments by mass spectrometry

A novel photoactivatable radioactive ADP derivative, namely, 2-azido-3'-O-naphthoyl-[beta-(32)P]ADP (2-azido-N-[(32)P]ADP), was synthesized with the aim at mapping the substrate binding site(s) of the yeast mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier. It was used with mitochondria isolated from genetically modified strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, producing the native or the His-tagged Anc2p isoform of the carrier. In darkness, 2-azido-N-[(32)P]ADP was reversibly bound to the carrier in mitochondria, without being transported. Upon photoirradiation, only the ADP/ATP carrier was covalently radiolabeled among all mitochondrial proteins. Specificity of labeling was demonstrated since carboxyatractyloside (CATR), a potent inhibitor of ADP/ATP transport, totally prevented the incorporation of the photoprobe. To localize the radioactive region(s), the purified photolabeled carrier was submitted to CNBr or hydroxylamine cleavage. The resulting fragments were characterized and identified by SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, amino acid sequencing, and MALDI-MS and ESI-MS analyses. Two short photolabeled distinct segments, eight and nine residues long, were identified: S183-R191, located in the central part of the ADP/ATP carrier; and I311-K318, belonging to its C-terminal end. Plausible models of organization of the nucleotide binding site(s) of the carrier involving the two regions specifically labeled by 2-azido-N-[(32)P]ADP are proposed.     

Different transport pathways of individual precursor proteins in mitochondria

Transport of mitochondrial precursor proteins into mitochondria of Neurospora crassa was studied in a cell-free reconstituted system. Precursors were synthesized in a reticulocyte lysate programmed with Neurospora mRNA and transported into isolated mitochondria in the absence of protein synthesis. Uptake of the following precursors was investigated: apocytochrome c, ADP/ATP carrier and subunit 9 of the oligomycin-sensitive ATPase. Addition of high concentrations of unlabelled chemically prepared apocytochrome c (1-10 microM) inhibited the appearance in the mitochondrial of labelled cytochrome c synthesized in vitro because the unlabelled protein dilutes the labelled one and because the translocation system has a limited capacity [apparent V is 1-3 pmol X min-1 X (mg mitochondrial protein)-1]. Concentrations of added apocytochrome c exceeding the concentrations of precursor proteins synthesized in vitro by a factor of about 10(4) did not inhibit the transfer of ADP/ATP carrier or ATPase subunit 9 into mitochondria. Carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, an uncoupler of oxidate phosphorylation, inhibited transfer in vitro of ADP/ATP carrier and of ATPase subunit 9, but not of cytochrome c. These findings suggest that cytochrome c and the other two proteins have different import pathways into mitochondria. It can be inferred from the data presented that different 'receptors' on the mitochondria. It can be inferred from the data presented that different 'receptors' on the mitochondrial surface mediate the specific recognition of precursor proteins by mitochondria by mitochondria as a first step in the transport process.     

Mitochondrial phosphate transport. Import of the H+/Pi symporter and role of the presequence

The rat liver mitochondrial phosphate transporter contains a 44-amino acid presequence. The role of this presequence is not clear since the ADP/ATP carrier and the brown fat uncoupling protein, related members of a family of inner membrane anion transporters, lack a presequence and contain targeting information within the mature protein. Here, we present evidence that the rat liver mitochondrial phosphate transporter can be synthesized in vitro, imported into mitochondria, and processed to a protein of Mr 33,000. Import requires the membrane potential and external nucleotide triphosphate. The presequence inserts into the outer mitochondrial membrane, and import proceeds via a process similar to other proteins destined for the inner membrane or matrix. A mutant phosphate transporter lacking 35 amino acids at the NH2 terminus of the presequence has little capacity for mitochondrial import. The rat liver phosphate transporter is also imported and processed by rat kidney mitochondria and by mitochondria from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A site-directed mutation of the N-ethyl-maleimide reactive cysteine 41 does not affect import or processing. The results presented show that optimal import of the mitochondrial phosphate transporter, unlike the ADP/ATP carrier and the brown fat uncoupling protein, is dependent on a presequence. As these carriers are believed to have evolved from a single gene, it seems likely that the H+/Pi carrier, known to be present in prokaryotes, appeared first and that subsequent evolutionary events leading to the other anion carriers eliminated the presequence.     

Cysteine labeling studies detect conformational changes in region 106-132 of the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

To know the structural and functional features of the cytosolic-facing first loop (LC1) including its surrounding region of the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier (AAC), we prepared 27 mutants, in which each amino acid residue between residues 106 and 132 of the yeast type 2 AAC (yAAC2) was replaced by a cysteine residue. For mutant preparation, we used a Cys-less AAC mutant, in which all four intrinsic cysteine residues were substituted with alanine residues, as a template [Hatanaka, T., Kihira, Y., Shinohara, Y., Majima, E., and Terada, H. (2001) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 286, 936-942]. From the labeling intensities of the membrane-impermeable SH-reagent eosin-5-maleimide (EMA), sequence Lys(108)-Phe(127) was suggested to constitute the LC1. The N-terminal half of this region (Lys(108)-Phe(115)) was suggested to change its location from the cytosol to a region close to the membrane on conversion from the c-state to the m-state in association with disruption or unwinding of its alpha-helical structure, whereas the C-terminal half region (Gly(116)-Phe(127)) was considered to extrude essentially into the cytosol, while keeping its alpha-helical structure. Hence, the conformation of m-state LC1 is greatly different from that of c-state LC1. Possibly the LC1 changes its location between the membranous region and the cytosol during ADP/ATP transport. Lys(108) in the LC1 of the yAAC2 was found to be associated with binding of the transport substrates, and its -NH(3)(+) moiety, to be of importance for the transport function. On the basis of these results, possible roles of the conformational changes of the LC1 in the transport activity are discussed.     

Close location of the first loop to the third loop of the mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier deduced from cross-linking catalyzed by copper-o-phenanthroline of the solubilized carrier with Triton X-100

Effects of the cross-linking catalyst copper-o-phenanthroline [Cu(OP)2] on the bovine heart mitochondrial ADP/ATP carrier solubilized with Triton X-100 were studied under various conditions. Without detergent treatment, Cu(OP)2 specifically catalyzed the formation of intermolecular disulfide bridges in submitochondrial particles between two Cys56 residues in the first loop facing the matrix space of the dimeric carrier [Majima, E., Ikawa, K., Takeda, M., Hashimoto, M., Shinohara, Y., and Terada, H. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 29548-29554]. However, an intramolecular disulfide bridge between Cys56 and Cys256 in the third loop was formed in the solubilized carrier. Proteolytic digestion of the carrier with lysylendopeptidase showed that it first cleaves the Lys42-Gln43 bond and then the Lys48-Gln49 bond of the first loop in the membrane-bound carrier, but it cleaves both sites almost simultaneously in the solubilized carrier. These features were observed only with the m-state carrier; the c-state carrier was not subject to any cross-linking or proteolytic digestion. It is suggested that the protruding first loop is located close to the third loop, which could be exposed to a certain degree.     

Involvement of the ADP/ATP carrier in calcium-induced perturbations of the mitochondrial inner membrane permeability: importance of the orientation of the nucleotide binding site

Compounds which induce calcium efflux from calcium-loaded mitochondria generally provoke membrane leakiness. The involvement of the ADP/ATP carrier in modification of mitochondrial membrane properties was studied. The addition of impermeant inhibitors of the ADP/ATP carrier, namely carboxyatractylate, palmitoyl coenzyme A (in the absence of carnitine), and pyridoxal 5-phosphate, to calcium-loaded mitochondria triggered the release of accumulated calcium, the leakage of endogenous ADP, and the swelling of mitochondria. Permeant ligands, such as bongkrekic acid or ADP, showed no damaging effect on membrane permeability; in fact, they impeded the membrane perturbation which was induced by the three impermeant effectors. In addition, both bongkrekic acid and ADP were able to cancel the calcium loss and swelling resulting from the oxidation of intramitochondrial pyridine nucleotides by acetoacetate. In acetoacetate-treated mitochondria, the ADP/ATP carrier was shown to be mainly in a c-state conformation (i.e., the nucleotide binding site had an external orientation). It was concluded that induction of membrane leakiness by calcium ions depends on the conformational state of the adenine nucleotide carrier. The ability of intramitochondrial calcium ions to modify membrane properties is determined by the orientation of the nucleotide binding site. Only the c-state conformation allows membrane destabilization. Consequently, all compounds which stabilize the ADP/ATP carrier in the c-state conformation will have a deleterious effect on calcium-loaded mitochondria.     

Reinvestigation of the requirement of cytosolic ATP for mitochondrial protein import

Protein import into mitochondria requires the energy of ATP hydrolysis inside and/or outside mitochondria. Although the role of ATP in the mitochondrial matrix in mitochondrial protein import has been extensively studied, the role of ATP outside mitochondria (external ATP) remains only poorly characterized. Here we developed a protocol for depletion of external ATP without significantly reducing the import competence of precursor proteins synthesized in vitro with reticulocyte lysate. We tested the effects of external ATP on the import of various precursor proteins into isolated yeast mitochondria. We found that external ATP is required for maintenance of the import competence of mitochondrial precursor proteins but that, once they bind to mitochondria, the subsequent translocation of presequence-containing proteins, but not the ADP/ATP carrier, proceeds independently of external ATP. Because depletion of cytosolic Hsp70 led to a decrease in the import competence of mitochondrial precursor proteins, external ATP is likely utilized by cytosolic Hsp70. In contrast, the ADP/ATP carrier requires external ATP for efficient import into mitochondria even after binding to mitochondria, a situation that is only partly attributed to cytosolic Hsp70.     

Adenine nucleotide translocation in plant mitochondria

The rapid translocation of external ADP-[^14C]by corn mitochondria is inhibited by high concentrations of atractyloside with enhanced inhibition occurring in the presence of Mg²⁺. This translocation is also inhibited by AMP or ATP but CDP, GDP, IDP or UDP have little effect. Backward exchange of internal ADP-[¹⁴C] occurs in the presence of AMP, ADP or ATP but is not promoted by other nucleoside diphosphates. It is suggested that the adenine nucleotide (AdN) carrier is specific for ADP and ATP and that apparent translocation of AMP is a result of adenylate kinase activity. The translocated ADP can be separated into 3 components: (1) atractyloside-insensitive binding; (2) carrier-bound ADP saturated at ca 30 μM external ADP; and (3) exchanged ADP saturated as ca 5 μM external ADP. It is suggested that the adenine nucleotide carrier of plant mitochondria possesses similar properties to the classical carrier of vertebrate mitochondria.     

Homology-modeled structure of the yeast mitochondrial citrate transport protein

We have used homology modeling to construct a three-dimensional model of the yeast mitochondrial citrate transport protein (CTP), based on the recently published x-ray crystal structure of another mitochondrial transport protein, the ADP/ATP carrier. Superposition of the backbone traces of the homology-modeled CTP onto the crystallographically determined ADP carrier structure indicates that the CTP transmembrane domains are well modeled (i.e., root mean square deviation of 0.94 A), whereas the loops facing the intermembrane space and the mitochondrial matrix are less certain (i.e., root mean square deviation values of 0.72-2.06 A). The homology-modeled CTP is consistent with our earlier de novo models of the transporter's transmembrane domains, with respect to residues which face into the transport path. Importantly, the resulting model is consistent with our previous experimental data obtained from measuring reactivity of 34 single cysteine mutants in transmembrane domains 3 and 4 with methanethiosulfonate reagents. The model also points to a likely dimer interface region. In conclusion, our data help to define the substrate translocation pathway in both the modeled CTP structure and the crystallographic ADP carrier structure.     

Translocation and binding of adenine nucleotides by rat liver mitochondria partially depleted of phospholipids.

1. Rat liver mitochondria were partially depleted of their phospholipids using phospholipase A prepared from porcine pancreas (substrate specificity, cardiolipin greater than phosphatidylethanolamine greater than phosphatidylcholine) or from Crotalus adamanteus venom (substrate specificity, phosphatidylethanolamine = phosphatidylcholine greater than cardiolipin). 2. Removal of only about 1% of the mitochondrial phospholipid with the pancreatic enzyme leads to 50% and 25% losses in ADP and ATP translocation, respectively. Concomitant with the loss in translocation is a decline in the ability of both carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone and Ca2+ to stimulate ATP translocation. 3. To achieve comparable losses in ADP and ATP translocation with the venom enzyme, it is necessary to remove about 8% of the total mitochondrial phospholipid. Following such treatment, carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone and Ca2+ are still capable of stimulating ATP translocation. 4. Control experiments involving treatment of the mitochondria with the products of phospholipase digestion indicate that the effects observed on the translocase reflect a loss of phospholipid from the membrane. 5. Binding studies indicate that the loss in adenine nucleotide translocation following phospholipase treatment cannot be accoundted for by an altered ability to bind adenine nucleotides to atractyloside-sensitive sites. 6. The data are interpreted in terms of a mechanism of adenine nucleotide translocation involving a lipoprotein carrier system, consisting of the translocator protein and phospholipids, possibly cardiolipin and phosphatidylethanolamine.     

Mapping of the nucleotide-binding sites in the ADP/ATP carrier of beef heart mitochondria by photolabeling with 2-azido[alpha-32P]adenosine diphosphate

2-Azido[alpha-32P]adenosine diphosphate (2-azido[alpha-32P]ADP) has been used to photolabel the ADP/ATP carrier in beef heart mitochondria. In reversible binding assays carried out in the dark, this photoprobe was found to inhibit ADP/ATP transport in beef heart mitochondria and to bind to two types of specific sites of the ADP/ATP carrier characterized by high-affinity binding (Kd = 20 microM) and low-affinity binding (Kd = 400 microM). In contrast, it was unable to bind to specific carrier sites in inverted submitochondrial particles. Upon photoirradiation of beef heart mitochondria in the presence of 2-azido[alpha-32P]ADP, the ADP/ATP carrier was covalently labeled. After purification, the photolabeled carrier protein was cleaved chemically by acidolysis or cyanogen bromide and enzymatically with the Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease. In the ADP/ATP carrier protein, which is 297 amino acid residues in length, two discrete regions extending from Phe-153 to Met-200 and from Tyr-250 to Met-281 were labeled by 2-azido[alpha-32P]ADP. The peptide fragments corresponding to these regions were sequenced, and the labeled amino acids were identified. As 2-azido-ADP is not transported into mitochondria and competes against transport of externally added ADP, it is concluded that the two regions of the carrier which are photolabeled are facing the cytosol. Whether the two photolabeled regions are located in a single peptide chain of the carrier or in different peptide chains of an oligomeric structure is discussed.     

Mitochondrial precursor proteins are imported through a hydrophilic membrane environment

We have analyzed how translocation intermediates of imported mitochondrial precursor proteins, which span contact sites, interact with the mitochondrial membranes. F1-ATPase subunit beta (F1 beta) was trapped at contact sites by importing it into Neurospora mitochondria in the presence of low levels of nucleoside triphosphates. This F1 beta translocation intermediate could be extracted from the membranes by treatment with protein denaturants such as alkaline pH or urea. By performing import at low temperatures, the ADP/ATP carrier was accumulated in contact sites of Neurospora mitochondria and cytochrome b2 in contact sites of yeast mitochondria. These translocation intermediates were also extractable from the membranes at alkaline pH. Thus, translocation of precursor proteins across mitochondrial membranes seems to occur through an environment which is accessible to aqueous perturbants. We propose that proteinaceous structures are essential components of a translocation apparatus present in contact sites.