The mitochondrial pool of free amino acids reflects the composition of mitochondrial DNA-encoded proteins: indication of a post- translational quality control for protein synthesis.

ABSTRACT: Mitochondria can synthesize a limited number of proteins encoded by mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) by using their own biosynthetic machinery, whereas most of the proteins in mitochondria are imported from the cytosol. It could be hypothesized that the mitochondrial pool of amino acids follows the frequency of amino acids in mtDNA-encoded proteins or, alternatively, that the profile is the result of the participation of amino acids in pathways other than protein synthesis (e.g. haem biosynthesis and aminotransferase reactions). These hypotheses were tested by evaluating the pool of free amino acids and derivatives in highly-coupled purified liver mitochondria obtained from rats fed on a nutritionally adequate diet for growth. Our results indicated that the pool mainly reflects the amino acid com

SUBMITTER: Ross-Inta C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5268128 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature