Biomaterial Database

Sequences from a prokaryotic genome or the mouse dihydrofolate reductase gene can restore the import of a truncated precursor protein into yeast mitochondria. 1987

A Baker, and G Schatz

Sequences that are capable of restoring mitochondrial targeting to a truncated yeast cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV presequence are encoded within the genome of Escherichia coli and within the gene for a higher eukaryotic cytosolic protein, mouse dihydrofolate reductase. These sequences, which resemble authentic presequences in their overall amino acid composition and degree of hydrophobicity, are rather frequent; greater than 2.7% of clones generated from E. coli DNA and greater than 5% of clones from the dihydrofolate reductase gene were functional in our screening system. These results suggest that, during evolution, mitochondrial precursor proteins could arise as a result of DNA rearrangements that place potential mitochondrial presequences at the amino terminus of existing open reading frames. Primitive eukaryotic cells may have used this mechanism to target proteins to their endosymbiotic protomitochondria.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008928	Mitochondria	Semiautonomous, self-reproducing organelles that occur in the cytoplasm of all cells of most, but not all, eukaryotes. Each mitochondrion is surrounded by a double limiting membrane. The inner membrane is highly invaginated, and its projections are called cristae. Mitochondria are the sites of the reactions of oxidative phosphorylation, which result in the formation of ATP. They contain distinctive RIBOSOMES, transfer RNAs (RNA, TRANSFER); AMINO ACYL T RNA SYNTHETASES; and elongation and termination factors. Mitochondria depend upon genes within the nucleus of the cells in which they reside for many essential messenger RNAs (RNA, MESSENGER). Mitochondria are believed to have arisen from aerobic bacteria that established a symbiotic relationship with primitive protoeukaryotes. (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)	Mitochondrial Contraction,Mitochondrion,Contraction, Mitochondrial,Contractions, Mitochondrial,Mitochondrial Contractions
D003001	Cloning, Molecular	The insertion of recombinant DNA molecules from prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic sources into a replicating vehicle, such as a plasmid or virus vector, and the introduction of the resultant hybrid molecules into recipient cells without altering the viability of those cells.	Molecular Cloning
D003576	Electron Transport Complex IV	A multisubunit enzyme complex containing CYTOCHROME A GROUP; CYTOCHROME A3; two copper atoms; and 13 different protein subunits. It is the terminal oxidase complex of the RESPIRATORY CHAIN and collects electrons that are transferred from the reduced CYTOCHROME C GROUP and donates them to molecular OXYGEN, which is then reduced to water. The redox reaction is simultaneously coupled to the transport of PROTONS across the inner mitochondrial membrane.	Cytochrome Oxidase,Cytochrome aa3,Cytochrome-c Oxidase,Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit III,Cytochrome a,a3,Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit VIa,Cytochrome-c Oxidase (Complex IV),Cytochrome-c Oxidase Subunit III,Cytochrome-c Oxidase Subunit IV,Ferrocytochrome c Oxygen Oxidoreductase,Heme aa3 Cytochrome Oxidase,Pre-CTOX p25,Signal Peptide p25-Subunit IV Cytochrome Oxidase,Subunit III, Cytochrome Oxidase,p25 Presequence Peptide-Cytochrome Oxidase,Cytochrome c Oxidase,Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit III,Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit IV,Oxidase, Cytochrome,Oxidase, Cytochrome-c,Signal Peptide p25 Subunit IV Cytochrome Oxidase,p25 Presequence Peptide Cytochrome Oxidase
D005796	Genes	A category of nucleic acid sequences that function as units of heredity and which code for the basic instructions for the development, reproduction, and maintenance of organisms.	Cistron,Gene,Genetic Materials,Cistrons,Genetic Material,Material, Genetic,Materials, Genetic
D005800	Genes, Fungal	The functional hereditary units of FUNGI.	Fungal Genes,Fungal Gene,Gene, Fungal
D000595	Amino Acid Sequence	The order of amino acids as they occur in a polypeptide chain. This is referred to as the primary structure of proteins. It is of fundamental importance in determining PROTEIN CONFORMATION.	Protein Structure, Primary,Amino Acid Sequences,Sequence, Amino Acid,Sequences, Amino Acid,Primary Protein Structure,Primary Protein Structures,Protein Structures, Primary,Structure, Primary Protein,Structures, Primary Protein
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012441	Saccharomyces cerevisiae	A species of the genus SACCHAROMYCES, family Saccharomycetaceae, order Saccharomycetales, known as "baker's" or "brewer's" yeast. The dried form is used as a dietary supplement.	Baker's Yeast,Brewer's Yeast,Candida robusta,S. cerevisiae,Saccharomyces capensis,Saccharomyces italicus,Saccharomyces oviformis,Saccharomyces uvarum var. melibiosus,Yeast, Baker's,Yeast, Brewer's,Baker Yeast,S cerevisiae,Baker's Yeasts,Yeast, Baker
D013762	Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase	An enzyme of the oxidoreductase class that catalyzes the reaction 7,8-dihyrofolate and NADPH to yield 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolate and NADPH+, producing reduced folate for amino acid metabolism, purine ring synthesis, and the formation of deoxythymidine monophosphate. Methotrexate and other folic acid antagonists used as chemotherapeutic drugs act by inhibiting this enzyme. (Dorland, 27th ed) EC 1.5.1.3.	Dihydrofolate Dehydrogenase,Dihydrofolate Reductase,Folic Acid Reductase,Acid Reductase, Folic,Dehydrogenase, Dihydrofolate,Dehydrogenase, Tetrahydrofolate,Reductase, Dihydrofolate,Reductase, Folic Acid
D046911	Macromolecular Substances	Compounds and molecular complexes that consist of very large numbers of atoms and are generally over 500 kDa in size. In biological systems macromolecular substances usually can be visualized using ELECTRON MICROSCOPY and are distinguished from ORGANELLES by the lack of a membrane structure.	Macromolecular Complexes,Macromolecular Compounds,Macromolecular Compounds and Complexes,Complexes, Macromolecular,Compounds, Macromolecular,Substances, Macromolecular