Mitochondrial dynamics and assembly in yeast

描述（由申请人提供）：这项研究计划的长期目标是了解一个重要的真核细胞器，细胞器的组装和动力学。线粒体的组装依赖于从细胞质中输入蛋白质，这是一个利用线粒体内膜和外膜中的复杂机制的过程。虽然已经查明了大部分进口设备，但其他进口部件仍有待查明。此外，许多未回答的问题仍然是关于前蛋白跨线粒体膜易位，或插入到脂质双层的疏水环境中的机制。 线粒体也是动态的细胞器，通过精细控制下的过程在细胞内持续融合、分裂和移动。线粒体在不同的细胞类型中也表现出各种各样的形状和数量。虽然线粒体的动态性质已经被记录了太多年，但对介导细胞器融合，分裂，分离和形状的分子或机制知之甚少。 为了进一步了解线粒体组装和动力学，我们已经分离出酵母，酿酒酵母，线粒体功能缺陷的突变体。我们建议继续分析我们的遗传研究所确定的线粒体蛋白质，并将重点放在以下问题上： 1)线粒体的形状是如何形成的，mtDNA是如何保持的？ 2)线粒体蛋白质输入的机制是什么？它与线粒体的形状有什么关系？ 3)线粒体分裂的机制是什么？ 4)线粒体融合的机制是什么？

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long-range goal of this research proposal is to understand the assembly and dynamics of an essential eukarydtic organelle, the mitochondrion. The assembly of mitochondria is dependent upon the import of proteins from the cytosol, a process that utilizes complicated machinery in both the mitochondrial inner and outer membranes. Although much of the import apparatus has been identified, additional import components await identification. In addition, many unanswered question remain about the mechanism by which preproteins are translocated across the mitochondrial membranes, or inserted into the hydrophobic environment of the lipid bilayer. Mitochondria are also dynamic organelles, continuously fusing, dividing and moving within cells by processes under exquisite control. Mitochondria also show a wide variety of shapes and numbers in different cell types. Although the dynamic nature of mitochondria has been documented for over TOO years, little is known about the molecules or mechanisms mediating the fusion, division, segregation and shape of the organelle. To further our understanding of mitochondrial assembly and dynamics, we have isolated mutants in the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, that are defective in mitochondrial function. We propose to continue our analyses of mitochondrial proteins identified by our genetic stusies, and will focus on the following questions: 1) How is mitochondrial shape established and mtDNA maintained? 2) What is the mechanism of mitochondrial protein import, and how is it related tomitochondrial shape? 3) What is the mechanism of mitochondrial division? 4) What is the mechanism of mitochondrial fusion?