Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Biogenesis of mitochondrial membrane proteins Thomas Becker1, Michael Gebert1,2, Nikolaus Pfanner1,3 and Martin van der Laan1 Mitochondria are ubiquitous, double-membrane bound organelles, which have developed from endosymbiotic a-proteobacteria during evolution. Outer and inner membranes of mitochondria are equipped with characteristic sets of membrane proteins required for energy conversion, metabolite and protein transport, membrane fusion and fission, and signal transduction. Mitochondrial membrane proteins are encoded by both, the nuclear and the mitochondrial genomes, and exhibit divergent transmembrane topologies. Correct targeting and membrane integration of these proteins and subsequent assembly into functional protein complexes must be tightly coordinated. This elaborate task is mediated by the cooperative functions of different protein import and export machineries of the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes. Addresses 1 Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie, ZMBZ, Universität Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Straße 17, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany 2 Fakultät für Biologie, Universität Freiburg, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany 3 Centre for Biological Signalling Studies (bioss), Universität Freiburg, D79104 Freiburg, Germany Corresponding author: van der Laan, Martin (martin.van.der.laan@biochemie.uni-freiburg.de) Current Opinion in Cell Biology 2009, 21:484–493 This review comes from a themed issue on Membranes and organelles Edited by Greg Odorizzi and Peter Rehling Available online 5th May 2009 0955-0674/$ – see front matter # 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. DOI 10.1016/j.ceb.2009.04.002 Introduction Mitochondria are surrounded by two distinct membrane systems, the outer membrane and the inner membrane, that generate two internal aqueous compartments, intermembrane space and matrix. The inner membrane is divided into peripheral regions adjacent to the outer membrane (inner boundary membrane) and tube-like invaginations protruding into the interior of the organelle (cristae membrane) [1]. A comprehensive proteomic study with highly purified Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria has identified 850 different proteins [2]. Bioinformatics analysis of this data set indicates that around 30% of these proteins are integral membrane proteins. The inner membrane contains Current Opinion in Cell Biology 2009, 21:484–493 seven integral proteins that are encoded by mitochondrial DNA and integrated into the membrane from the matrix side. All other mitochondrial membrane proteins are encoded in the nucleus and synthesized on cytosolic ribosomes. These proteins have to be imported into mitochondria and selectively integrated into the outer membrane or inner membrane. Integral membrane proteins are commonly classified according to their transmembrane topology. While some membrane proteins adopt a b-barrel transmembrane conformation, the majority span the lipid bilayer with one or more hydrophobic a-helices. Proteins with a-helical membrane-embedded domains are further distinguished based on the number of transmembrane segments and their position within the polypeptide sequence (C-tailanchored and signal-anchored). All these diverse topologies are found in mitochondrial membrane proteins (Figure 1). Accordingly, diverse mitochondrial import and assembly machineries of outer membrane, intermembrane space and inner membrane mediate the assembly of different classes of membrane proteins. Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins Outer membrane proteins are required for metabolic exchange and communication with the cytosol, membrane fusion and fission and maintenance of mitochondrial morphology. All nuclear-encoded proteins destined for inner mitochondrial compartments initially have to pass the outer membrane via the central entry gate, the translocase of the outer membrane (TOM complex) [1,3]. The TOM complex is composed of the receptor proteins Tom20, Tom70, and Tom22, the protein-conducting channel formed by Tom40, and three small Tom proteins, Tom5, Tom6 and Tom7, involved in complex stability and dynamics. The outer membrane additionally contains the sorting and assembly machinery (SAM complex), which is required for the biogenesis of outer membrane proteins. Tom40 and the SAM complex components Sam50 and Sam35 are the only known mitochondrial outer membrane proteins essential for cell viability in yeast. All outer membrane proteins, including the Tom and Sam subunits, are encoded by nuclear genes and synthesized as precursors in the cytosol. Import and sorting of several Tom and Sam precursors thus requires pre-existing mature TOM and SAM complexes. b-Barrel proteins of the outer membrane Characteristic for the outer membrane are proteins with a b-barrel transmembrane structure, like Tom40 or porin. www.sciencedirect.com Mitochondrial membrane protein biogenesis Becker et al. 485 Figure 1 Major classes of mitochondrial membrane proteins. (a) Typical for the mitochondrial outer membrane is the presence of membrane proteins with a bbarrel transmembrane domain. Proteins, which are anchored to the outer membrane with a single a-helical transmembrane segment include two main types, signal-anchored and C-tail-anchored proteins. Tom22 is inserted into the outer membrane with a topology comparable to that of C-tail anchored proteins, yet additionally contains a domain in the intermembrane space (not shown). Furthermore, the outer membrane contains proteins with multiple a-helical transmembrane segments (polytopic membrane proteins). (b) Mitochondrial inner membrane proteins are classified according to type and position of their signal sequences. Proteins with N-terminal, cleavable signal sequences are either inserted into the inner membrane by a single hydrophobic stop-transfer sequence or contain a polytopic transmembrane domain. Non-cleavable proteins with multiple, internal signal sequences are mainly polytopic metabolite carriers. These proteins are only found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria and organelles of endosymbiotic origin like plastids and mitochondria [3]. The biogenesis pathway of b-barrel proteins has been conserved in evolution, as bacterial PhoE is assembled into the mitochondrial outer membrane when expressed in yeast [4]. bBarrel precursors are translocated across the outer membrane via the TOM complex and handed over to the SAM complex by small Tim proteins of the intermembrane space (Figure 2a) [5–8]. A specific motif in the last bstrand, the so-called b-signal, is crucial for binding of precursor proteins to the SAM complex [9]. The SAM complex mediates the membrane integration of b-barrel precursors. Its core part (SAMcore) is composed of the membrane-integral component Sam50 and two peripheral proteins, Sam35 and Sam37, exposed to the cytosolic www.sciencedirect.com side of the membrane (Figure 2a) [9,10]. Sam50 contains an N-terminal POTRA (polypeptide-transportassociated) domain and a C-terminal b-barrel domain. This architecture is typical for proteins of the Omp85 (BamA/YaeT) family, which mediate membrane integration and assembly of b-barrel proteins in bacteria [3]. Recombinant Sam50 forms a transmembrane channel with very similar electrophysiological properties as the purified SAM complex [6,9]. Different views have been proposed on the mode of precursor recognition by the SAM complex. One study reported that the POTRA domain of Sam50 acts as a receptor for the precursors of b-barrel proteins on the intermembrane space side [11]. The multiple POTRA domains of Omp85 (BamA/YaeT) are required for the Current Opinion in Cell Biology 2009, 21:484–493 486 Membranes and organelles Figure 2 Biogenesis of mitochondrial outer membrane proteins. (a) The precursors of b-barrel proteins are initially transferred across the outer membrane by the TOM complex. The TOM complex consists of the receptor proteins Tom20, Tom70 and Tom22, the small Tom proteins Tom5, Tom6 and Tom7 and the central, channel-forming component Tom40. Small Tim proteins of the intermembrane space take over b-barrel precursor proteins and deliver them to the SAM complex, which mediates integration of these precursors into the outer membrane. Sam50 (Omp85/Tob55) and the two peripheral subunits Sam35 and Sam37 form the SAMcore complex. Sam35 interacts with the b-signal of the incoming precursor. Mdm10 associates with SAMcore to form the SAMholo complex, which is involved in the final steps of TOM complex assembly. (b) The SAM complex plays a central role in the assembly of the TOM complex. Here, precursor proteins with different types of membrane anchors are assembled, leading to the formation of the functional outer membrane translocase. The SAM machinery not only accepts the precursors of the b-barrel-forming Tom40 from the intermembrane space side, but also the precursors of Tom22 and the small Tom proteins, which contain single a-helical transmembrane segments. Mim1 dynamically interacts with SAM components to promote the biogenesis of the small Tom proteins. Mim1 is also crucial for the membrane integration and assembly of Tom20 and Tom70. Mdm10 mediates the association of Tom22 with Tom40 and the small Tom proteins. Current Opinion in Cell Biology 2009, 21:484–493 www.sciencedirect.com Mitochondrial membrane protein biogenesis Becker et al. 487 stability of the bacterial b-barrel assembly machinery (BAM complex) and were also proposed to bind precursor proteins [12,13]. In contrast to the POTRA domains of bacterial homologs, however, the single POTRA domain of Sam50 is not essential for cell viability [9]. Moreover, Sam35 was shown to interact with b-signal sequences, indicating that in mitochondria the Sam50 POTRA domain is not solely responsible for substrate binding and may even be dispensable for signal recognition [9] (Figure 2a). This conclusion is supported by the observation that b-signal peptides stimulate channel activity of the SAM complex, while the Sam50 channel alone does not respond to signal peptide addition [9]. When precursor proteins are delivered to the SAM complex from the intermembrane space whereas Sam35 is exposed on the cytosolic side, how is substrate–receptor interaction brought about? Electron microcopy images of both recombinant Sam50 and purified SAM complexes show large pentameric assemblies [6]. Moreover, SAM-bound precursors reside in a hydrophilic environment within the membrane [9]. Therefore, the most likely scenario is that the SAM complex forms a central cavity in the outer membrane allowing Sam35 to contact the precursor protein. Such a cavity may also provide an appropriate environment for the formation of b-barrels. Sam37 plays a role in preprotein release from the SAM complex, since overexpression of Sam37 promotes the final stages of Tom40 assembly into mature TOM complexes [10]. A larger form of the SAM complex, termed SAMholo, additionally contains Mdm10 (Figure 2a) [14]. Mdm10, which was initially identified as morphology maintenance protein, is also required for late steps of Tom40 biogenesis [14]. Mdm10 promotes the assembly of Tom40 with further Tom proteins to form the oligomeric TOM complex. A second pool of Mdm10 is associated with the morphology proteins Mmm1 and Mdm12 [15]. This MDM complex is involved in late stages of bbarrel protein assembly [16]. A temperature-inducible mmm1 mutant strain revealed that defects in b-barrel biogenesis become detectable before morphology alterations [16]. Concordantly, deletion of outer membrane biogenesis proteins, like Tom7 and Sam37, leads to morphological changes [14,16]. These observations indicate a close connection between outer membrane protein biogenesis and mitochondrial morphology. The three small Tom proteins are also involved in the late steps of the assembly pathway of the Tom40 precursor. Tom5 is the first Tom protein that stably associates with the Tom40 precursor [5]. Tom6 and Tom7 then play antagonistic roles in the oligomeric assembly of the TOM complex. Tom6 favors the formation of the TOM complex, whereas Tom7 delays its formation. The exact molecular mechanism of Tom7 function is not yet known. It was shown that Tom7 impairs the association of Mdm10 with the SAM complex and thus regulates TOM assembly [17]. www.sciencedirect.com a-Helical proteins of the outer membrane Recent studies indicate that several pathways for the import of a-helical outer membrane proteins exist, only some of the pathways involve known TOM or SAM components; the lipid composition of the membrane may also be important [18,19,20,21]. For outer membrane proteins with one transmembrane segment the membrane-spanning segment contains the mitochondrial targeting signal. However, a general receptor for these signals has not been found so far [22]. Recently, Tom70 was shown to recognize the polytopic outer membrane protein peripheral benzodiazepine receptor [20]. This is the first indication that a single Tom subunit may have a function independently of the rest of the TOM complex. Specific requirements have been reported for the biogenesis of TOM complex subunits with a single a-helical transmembrane segment (Figure 2b). The TOM complex itself is involved in mitochondrial targeting of the precursor of Tom22, but not of the tail-anchored small Tom proteins [21,22]. Studies on the import pathways of Tom22 and small Tom proteins revealed an unexpected additional function of the SAM complex (Figure 2b). The SAM complex is required for membrane integration of Tom22 and involved in the assembly of small Tom proteins into mature TOM complexes [19,23]. Mdm10 promotes the association of Tom22 and small Tom proteins with Tom40 [14]. These findings suggest that the SAM complex not only functions as membrane insertase for b-barrel proteins but also for some a-helical proteins. The SAM complex additionally provides an assembly platform for the association of Tom precursors into mature TOM complexes. The SAM complex is not involved in the biogenesis of the signal-anchored proteins Tom20 and Tom70 [19], but the integral outer membrane protein Mim1 plays a central role in membrane integration and assembly of these precursors [23,24,25] (Figure 2b). Mim1 forms homo-oligomers, which are required for Tom20 biogenesis [25]. Mim1 may perform the function of an insertase for signal-anchored outer membrane proteins. Mitochondrial inner membrane proteins The mitochondrial inner membrane is one of the most protein-rich membranes known (60–70 weight percent). Many abundant inner membrane proteins are components of respiratory chain complexes or the F1Fo ATP synthase, which accumulate in cristae membranes. Moreover, the inner membrane contains preprotein translocase complexes, numerous metabolite carrier proteins and representatives of other membrane protein families, like ABC-transporters and AAA-proteases. Most of these proteins are nuclear-encoded and imported as preproteins from the cytosol. They contain specific signal sequences directing them to the mitochondrial inner membrane. Based on the type of import signal, two main classes of Current Opinion in Cell Biology 2009, 21:484–493 488 Membranes and organelles Figure 3 Current Opinion in Cell Biology 2009, 21:484–493 www.sciencedirect.com Mitochondrial membrane protein biogenesis Becker et al. 489 preproteins are distinguished: One is characterized by multiple internal signals, whereas members of the other contain N-terminal cleavable presequences. Inner membrane proteins with internal signal sequences Inner membrane proteins with internal signal sequences are mainly metabolite carriers or related proteins, like the preprotein translocase subunits Tim17 and Tim23. Their insertion into the inner membrane is mediated by the carrier translocase of the inner membrane (TIM22 complex). On the surface of mitochondria, the multiple import signals within carrier precursors are recognized by several Tom70 molecules in a cooperative manner. Passage of these precursor proteins across the outer membrane is driven by their association with the Tim9/Tim10 chaperone complex in the intermembrane space (Figure 3a). The Tim9/Tim10 complex resembles a six-bladed a-helical propeller, which binds and thus shields hydrophobic patches in carrier precursors [26,27]. A similar structure and binding mechanism was described for the homologous Tim8/Tim13 complex, which is involved in biogenesis of the Tim23 precursor [28,29]. The Tim9/Tim10 complex delivers precursor proteins to the TIM22 complex in a process involving the docking protein Tim12 (Figure 3a). Interestingly, Tim12 associates first with Tim9 and Tim10 to form a soluble docking complex, which subsequently binds to the membrane-embedded TIM22 complex [30]. The TIM22 complex migrates as a 300 kDa species on Blue Native gels. This complex consists of the peripheral subunits Tim9, Tim10, Tim12, and the membrane-embedded core formed by Tim22, Tim54, and Tim18 (Figure 3a) [31]. The essential Tim22 protein forms channels across the inner membrane. The TIM22 complex contains two voltage-gated, signal sequence-sensitive channels, into which pairs of transmembrane segments insert in a hairpin-like conformation [31]. Tim54 is required for the stability of the 300 kDa complex and likely binds the Tim9/10/12 complex [32]. Moreover, Tim54 was reported to have a specific role in the biogenesis of the i-AAA protease component Yme1 [33]. Tim18 stimulates the assembly of the Tim54 precursor into TIM22 complexes [32]. The membrane potential (Dc) across the inner membrane is the only known energy source for integration of carrier proteins into the membrane. A low Dc is sufficient for the stable docking of precursors to the TIM22 complex whereas membrane integration of transmembrane segments requires a high Dc [31]. Inner membrane proteins with N-terminal presequences Both, matrix-targeted and inner membrane-sorted preproteins with cleavable N-terminal presequences are directly handed over from the TOM complex to the presequence Translocase of the Inner Membrane (TIM23 complex) via a two-membrane-spanning supercomplex intermediate. The membrane-embedded TIM23 complex (TIM23CORE) consists of three essential proteins: Tim17, Tim23 and Tim50 (Figure 3b). Tim23 and Tim50 interact via coiled-coil domains in the intermembrane space and are in close proximity to preproteins emerging from the TOM complex [34,35,36]. Tim23 forms a voltage-dependent, preprotein-sensitive channel across the inner membrane. In the absence of preproteins the Tim23 channel is in a closed state. Tim50 is involved in closing the channel in the absence of substrate [37,38]. When a preprotein arrives, Tim50 binds to it and likely initiates the reaction that induces channel opening. The exact function of Tim17 is unknown; it is required for matrix translocation as well as membrane insertion of preproteins and appears to be involved in regulation of the Tim23 channel [39–41]. TIM23CORE associates with an additional inner membrane protein, Tim21, which contacts Tom22 in the outer membrane and is involved in transfer of preproteins from TOM to TIM23 [39,42,43]. Tim21-containing TIM23 complexes (TIM23SORT) specifically associate with inner membrane-sorted preproteins [39] (Figure 3b). Purification and functional reconstitution of TIM23SORT into liposomes showed that this complex catalyzes membrane insertion of cleavable inner membrane proteins that con- Figure 3 Legend Biogenesis of mitochondrial inner membrane proteins. (a) Upon passage through the TOM complex in the outer membrane, carrier precursors with multiple internal signal sequences are guided by the small Tim proteins (Tim9/Tim10 complex) through the aqueous environment of the intermembrane space. A docking complex additionally containing Tim12 delivers the preprotein to the carrier translocase (TIM22 complex) in the inner membrane. The TIM22 complex includes the central, pore-forming Tim22 protein and the accessory subunits Tim18 and Tim54. Membrane insertion of carrier proteins via the TIM22 complex is driven by the electrical potential across the inner membrane (Dc). (b) Inner membrane proteins with Nterminal cleavable presequences are transferred across the outer membrane via the TOM complex. They are directly handed over to the presequence translocase (TIM23 complex) in the inner membrane. The essential core of the TIM23 complex is formed by Tim23, Tim17, and Tim50. Presequence proteins with a stop-transfer signal (indicated by a red box) adjacent to the N-terminal presequence are inserted into the inner membrane by the TIM23SORT complex, which contains Tim21. The energy source for this process is the Dc. Tim21 connects TIM23SORT with two respiratory chain complexes, cytochrome bc1 complex and cytochrome c oxidase (COX), probably via the bc1 subunit Qcr6. Biogenesis of more complex inner membrane proteins, which contain multiple transmembrane segments and/or large matrix-domains, requires the TIM23MOTOR complex. This form of the TIM23 complex is devoid of Tim21, but coupled to the ATP-driven presequence translocase-associated motor (PAM). The activity of the central motor component mtHsp70 is regulated by four membrane-bound cochaperones, Pam18/Pam16 (Tim14/Tim16), Tim44 and Pam17. (c) A number of particularly hydrophobic inner membrane proteins are encoded by the mitochondrial genome and synthesized on mitochondrial ribosomes in the matrix. These proteins are co-translationally targeted to a protein export complex in the inner membrane that contains Oxa1. Biogenesis of mitochondrially encoded proteins additionally involves Mba1, Mdm38, and Cox18 (Oxa2). www.sciencedirect.com Current Opinion in Cell Biology 2009, 21:484–493 490 Membranes and organelles tain a single hydrophobic stop-transfer sequence [38]. Dc is the sole energy source for this process. Surprisingly, TIM23SORT was found in association with respiratory chain complexes in mitochondria (Figure 3b) [38,44,45,46]. This interaction is mediated by Tim21 and stimulates Dc-dependent membrane insertion of preproteins [44,45]. By an elegant fluorescence approach, Alder et al. [47] have recently shown that transmembrane segment 2 of Tim23 lines the transversal protein-conducting channel. It is, however, unknown, where and how lateral gating of the TIM23 complex and release of transmembrane segments into the lipid bilayer occurs. Biogenesis of proteins with C-terminal transmembrane segments and polytopic membrane proteins is a more complicated task. Translocation of preprotein domains across the inner membrane requires the ATP-driven Presequence translocase-Associated Motor (PAM) (Figure 3b). The key component of this import motor is the mitochondrial heat shock protein 70 (mtHsp70), which generates an inward-directed import driving force. Its activity is regulated in space and time by five cochaperones: Tim44, Pam16, Pam17, Pam18 and Mge1 [1]. Recruitment of PAM to TIM23 for matrix translocation (TIM23MOTOR) is accompanied by the release of Tim21 from TIM23CORE [39]. In turn, binding of Tim21 to TIM23CORE drastically reduces its affinity for PAM components. This is reflected by the fact that only minute amounts of Tim21 are co-isolated with PAM components and vice versa [38,39,44,48,49]. The precise signals within preproteins that induce the transition between TIM23SORT and TIM23MOTOR remain to be determined. It has been proposed that presequence-carrying polytopic inner membrane proteins are first translocated into the matrix by TIM23MOTOR and subsequently integrated into the membrane from the matrix side by an export machinery containing Oxa1 (‘conservative sorting’) [1,50]. Alternatively, the TIM23 complex may switch between the matrix translocation and membrane integration states during the biogenesis of polytopic inner membrane proteins. Evidence has been presented that Oxa1 might accept transmembrane segments laterally released from TIM23 within the membrane [51]. Mitochondrially encoded inner membrane proteins A small number of inner membrane proteins is encoded by mitochondrial DNA. These proteins are strongly hydrophobic subunits of the cytochrome bc1 complex, cytochrome c oxidase, and F1Fo ATP synthase. Oxa1 is believed to form the main insertase for proteins synthesized within mitochondria (Figure 3c). The molecular nature of the protein-conducting export channel is unknown. Purified Oxa1 forms homooligomeric complexes [52], which may constitute the core domain of an insertion complex. Co-translational targeting of preCurrent Opinion in Cell Biology 2009, 21:484–493 proteins to Oxa1 involves binding of ribosomes to the Cterminal matrix domain [53,54]. Ribosome recruitment to the inner membrane also involves Mdm38 and Mba1 [55,56] (Figure 3c). In case of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit Cox2, Oxa1 is required for export of the Nterminus to the intermembrane space, while translocation of the C-terminus depends on Cox18 [57,58] (Figure 3c). An additional role for Oxa1 as an intramembrane chaperone in the assembly of the F1Fo ATP synthase has been suggested [59]. Conclusions and perspectives Diverse biogenesis pathways are involved in mitochondrial membrane protein insertion and assembly. Many components have been discovered but we are only beginning to understand the molecular details underlying different pathways. Further studies are required to elucidate the interaction of different outer membrane precursor proteins with the SAM complex and the mechanisms of b-barrel and a-helix membrane integration. Yet unrecognized additional insertase complexes for the insertion of a-helical membrane proteins may exist in the outer membrane. The specific roles of different SAM complex forms and the MDM complex in the assembly of b-barrel and a-helical proteins into functional outer membrane protein complexes remain to be analyzed. For inner membrane protein biogenesis, it is unclear, how the TIM23 machinery switches between matrix translocation and inner membrane insertion. Although the pore-forming components of the TIM22 and TIM23 complexes have been identified, we do not know the molecular mechanism of how preproteins use these channels to become inserted into the membrane. In particular, the molecular nature of the putative lateral gate releasing transmembrane segments from the translocase into the lipid phase of the membrane has remained enigmatic. In all cases, our insight into the architecture and function of membrane protein insertase complexes will strongly benefit from high-resolution structures. Finally, a number of recent studies indicated that the role of particular phospholipids, such as cardiolipin, in the biogenesis and dynamics of inner membrane protein complexes might have been underestimated in the past. Functional reconstitution of the TIM23SORT complex into proteoliposomes requires a cardiolipin-rich membrane [38]. Moreover, two recent studies have shown that a fraction of ADP/ATP carrier molecules is associated with respiratory chain complexes [46,60] and that this interaction depends on cardiolipin [60]. Finally, the Tam41 protein, which was initially described as a specific modulator of the TIM23 complex [48,61], was found to play a crucial role in cardiolipin biosynthesis [62]. Acknowledgements Work in the authors’ laboratories was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Sonderforschungsbereich 746, Excellence Initiative of the German Federal & State Governments (EXC 294) and Landesstiftung Baden-Württemberg (TB). www.sciencedirect.com Mitochondrial membrane protein biogenesis Becker et al. 491 References and recommended reading Papers of particular interest published within the period of review have been highlighted as: of special interest of outstanding interest 1. Neupert W, Herrmann JM: Translocation of proteins into mitochondria. Annu Rev Biochem 2007, 76:723-749. This review article gives a comprehensive overview of protein sorting pathways in mitochondria. 2. 3. 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This study shows that the mitochondrial SAM complex mediates the biogenesis of the a-helical membrane-protein Tom22, indicating that the function of the SAM complex exceeds that of b-barrel biogenesis. 20. Otera H, Taira Y, Horie C, Suzuki Y, Suzuki H, Setoguchi K, Kato H, Oka T, Mihara K: A novel insertion pathway of mitochondrial outer membrane proteins with multiple transmembrane segments. J Cell Biol 2007, 179:1355-1363. This is the first comprehensive study on the biogenesis of a polytopic outer membrane protein. The presented findings assign a TOM complexindependent function to the Tom70 receptor. 21. Kemper C, Habib SJ, Engl G, Heckmeyer P, Dimmer KS, Rapaport D: Integration of tail-anchored proteins into the mitochondrial outer membrane does not require any known import components. J Cell Sci 2008, 121:1990-1998. 22. Rapaport D: Finding the right organelle. Targeting signals in mitochondrial outer membrane proteins. EMBO Rep 2003, 4:948-952. 23. 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