Abstract
The mitochondrial inner membrane peptidase Imp is required for proteolytic processing of the mitochondrially encoded protein Cox2, the nucleus-encoded Cyt b2, Mcr1, and Cyt c1, and possibly other proteins, during their transport across the mitochondrial membranes. The peptidase contains two catalytic subunits, Imp1 and Imp2. The small protein Som1 was previously shown to affect the function of Imp1, but the precise role of Som1 remained unknown. Using mutants deleted for IMP1, IMP2 and SOM1, we show here that the Som1 protein is absent in the imp1Δ mutant, whereas the level of the Imp1 subunit of the peptidase is only slightly reduced in the som1 null mutant. The Som1 protein is not essential for proteolytic processing of Cyt b2, while the two other known Imp1 substrates, Cox2 and Mcr1, are not processed in the absence of Som1. Proteolytic processing of Cyt c1 by the Imp2 subunit, and of Ccp by an as yet unidentified peptidase, is not impaired in the som1 deletion mutant. By crosslinking and co-immunoprecipitation assays we demonstrate that the Imp1 and Som1 proteins physically interact. We conclude from our results that stabilisation of Som1 and correct Imp1 function is mediated by a direct interaction between the Imp1 and Som1 proteins, suggesting that Som1 represents a third subunit of the Imp peptidase complex.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 24 September 1999 / Accepted: 9 December 1999
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jan, PS., Esser, K., Pratje, E. et al. Som1, a third component of the yeast mitochondrial inner membrane peptidase complex that contains Imp1 and Imp2. Mol Gen Genet 263, 483–491 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004380051192
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004380051192