Study of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase assembly regulation: from gene expression to supercomplex formation

Abstract

Mitochondria are responsible for several biochemical processes in eukaryotic cells. Due to its endosymbiotic origin, it contains a genetic system encoding subunits of the oxphos system and the mitoribosome. We have been using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model to study and characterize mitochondria proteins required for respiration, particularly those involved in regulating the translation process. Recently, we demonstrated that Mrx9p, a poorly studied mitochondrial protein, regulates the processing of COB and COX1 transcripts. Here we propose to study the mechanisms by which Mrx9p exerts its control over these transcripts, as well as keep our search for new factors involved in mitochondria translation and the formation of the respiratory complexes. For instance, the COX prosthetic group, heme a, synthesis, and insertion into newly synthesized Cox1p is poorly understood, and we intend to unveil the mechanisms involved in its regulation.