Abstract
Efficient import of nuclear-encoded proteins into mitochondria is crucial for proper mitochondrial function. The conserved translation factor eIF5A binds ribosomes, alleviating stalling at polyproline-encoding sequences. eIF5A impacts mitochondrial function across species, though the precise molecular mechanism is unclear. We found that eIF5A depletion in yeast reduces the translation and levels of the TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation proteins. Loss of eIF5A causes mitoprotein precursors to accumulate in the cytosol and triggers a mitochondrial import stress response. We identify an essential polyproline protein as a direct target of eIF5A: the mitochondrial inner membrane protein and translocase component Tim50. Thus, eIF5A controls mitochondrial protein import by alleviating ribosome stalling along Tim50 mRNA at the mitochondrial surface. Removal of polyprolines from Tim50 partially rescues the mitochondrial import stress response and translation of oxidative phosphorylation genes. Overall, our findings elucidate how eIF5A impacts the mitochondrial function by promoting efficient translation and reducing ribosome stalling of co-translationally imported proteins, thereby positively impacting the mitochondrial import process.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.