labelling-visualization-mitochondrial-genome-expression-products

Labelling and Visualization of Mitochondrial Genome Expression Products in Baker's Yeast <em>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</em>

Mitochondria are essential organelles of eukaryotic cells capable of aerobic respiration. They contain circular genome and gene expression apparatus. A ...

National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute"

Mitochondrial genomes code for several core components of respiratory chain complexes. Thus, mitochondrial translation is of great importance for the organelle as well as for the whole cell. In yeast, mitochondrial translation initiation factor 3, Aim23p, is not essential for the organellar protein synthesis; however, its absence leads to a significant quantitative imbalance of the mitochondrial translation products. This fact points to a possible specific action of Aim23p on the biosynthesis of some mitochondrial protein species. In this work, we examined such peculiar effects of Aim23p in relation to yeast mitochondrial  mRNA translation. We show that Aim23p is indispensable to this process. According to our data, this is mediated by Aimp23p interaction with the known specific factor of the  mRNA translation, Pet111p. If there is no Aim23p in the yeast cells, an increased amount of Pet111p ensures proper  mRNA translation. Our results demonstrate the additional non-canonical function of initiation factor 3 in yeast mitochondrial translation.

Maxim V. Patrushev

National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute"

Labelling and Visualization of Mitochondrial Genome Expression Products in Baker's Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae