A new IMol PAS study at Science Advances providing insight into mitochondrial protein import!
Most proteins entering mitochondria pass through a single gateway – the TOM complex. But what regulates this essential entry point in human cells? Using a membrane-permeable cross-linker, we captured not only stable TOM interactors, but also transient ones that typically evade detection.
What we discovered:
A human-specific protein, FKBP8, acts as a previously hidden guardian of this gateway. When FKBP8 is removed, the TOM complex destabilizes – revealing its critical role in maintaining mitochondrial function.
Beyond this, our work uncovers a broader network linking protein import to quality control, apoptosis, and organelle crosstalk. It’s a reminder of how advanced technologies and collaborative science can reveal entirely new layers of cellular regulation.
Huge credit to this outstanding team of co-authors: Mayra Borrero Landazábal, Vanessa Linke, Tereza Kadavá, Zeshi Li, Piotr Draczkowski, Kacper Kaszuba, Dr. Lea Bertgen, Remigiusz Serwa, Albert Heck, and Agnieszka Chacińska.
