Authors: Perez-Martinez, Xochitl; Funes, Soledad; Camacho-Villasana, Yolanda; Marjavaara, Sanna; Tavares-Carreon, Faviola; Shingu-Vazquez, Miguel

Source: Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 8, Number 15, October 2008 , pp. 1335-1350(16)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) codes for 13 polypeptides which constitute the central core of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes. The machinery for mitochondrial protein synthesis has a dual origin: a full set of tRNAs, as well as the 12S and 16S rRNAs are encoded in the mitochondrial genome, while most factors necessary for translation are encoded by nuclear genes. The mitochondrial translation apparatus is highly specialized in expressing membrane proteins, and couples the synthesis of proteins to the insertion into the mitochondrial inner membrane. In recent years it has become clear that defects of mitochondrial translation and protein assembly cause several mitochondrial disorders.

Since direct studies on protein synthesis in human mitochondria are still a relatively difficult task, we owe our current knowledge of this field to the large amount of genetic and biochemical studies performed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These studies have allowed the identification of several genes involved in mitochondrial protein synthesis and assembly, and have provided insights into the conserved mechanisms of mitochondrial gene expression. In the present review we will discuss the most recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms and factors that govern mammalian mitochondrial translation/protein insertion, as well as known pathologies associated with them.

Keywords: Assembly; mitochondria; mitochondrial disease; mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA); mitoribosomes; oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS); translation; yeast

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Circuito Exterior s/n, Ciudad Universitaria. Apartado postal 70-243, Mexico D.F. 04510, Mexico.

Publication date: 2008-10-01

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