{"title":"Molecular machineries and pathways of mitochondrial protein transport","authors":"Toshiya Endo, Nils Wiedemann","doi":"10.1038/s41580-025-00865-w","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>Mitochondria contain about 1,000–1,500 different proteins, most of which are encoded by the nuclear genome and synthesized in the cytosol, although a handful are specified by the mitochondrial DNA and translated within mitochondria. The coordinated transport of nucleus-encoded proteins into mitochondria, followed by their proper folding, assembly and/or integration into mitochondrial membranes, is central to mitochondrial biogenesis. In this Review, we describe the pathways and machineries for protein transport across and insertion into the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes, as well as the targeting and sorting signals, and energy requirements for these processes. These machineries include the TOM and SAM complexes in the outer membrane and the TIM complexes in the inner membrane, and some components in the intermembrane space. We emphasize recent developments in our understanding of the protein structures of the transport machineries and discuss mechanisms for the shift of protein localization and correction of mislocalization.</p>","PeriodicalId":19051,"journal":{"name":"Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology","volume":"104 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":81.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41580-025-00865-w","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CELL BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Mitochondria contain about 1,000–1,500 different proteins, most of which are encoded by the nuclear genome and synthesized in the cytosol, although a handful are specified by the mitochondrial DNA and translated within mitochondria. The coordinated transport of nucleus-encoded proteins into mitochondria, followed by their proper folding, assembly and/or integration into mitochondrial membranes, is central to mitochondrial biogenesis. In this Review, we describe the pathways and machineries for protein transport across and insertion into the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes, as well as the targeting and sorting signals, and energy requirements for these processes. These machineries include the TOM and SAM complexes in the outer membrane and the TIM complexes in the inner membrane, and some components in the intermembrane space. We emphasize recent developments in our understanding of the protein structures of the transport machineries and discuss mechanisms for the shift of protein localization and correction of mislocalization.
期刊介绍:
Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology is a prestigious journal that aims to be the primary source of reviews and commentaries for the scientific communities it serves. The journal strives to publish articles that are authoritative, accessible, and enriched with easily understandable figures, tables, and other display items. The goal is to provide an unparalleled service to authors, referees, and readers, and the journal works diligently to maximize the usefulness and impact of each article. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology publishes a variety of article types, including Reviews, Perspectives, Comments, and Research Highlights, all of which are relevant to molecular and cell biologists. The journal's broad scope ensures that the articles it publishes reach the widest possible audience.