Mitochondrial translation and its impact on protein homeostasis and aging

Abstract: Besides their famous role as powerhouse of the cell, mitochondria are also involved in many signaling processes and metabolism. Therefore, it is unsurprising that mitochondria are no isolated organelles but are in constant crosstalk with other parts of the cell. Due to the endosymbiotic origin of mitochondria, they still contain their own genome and gene expression machinery. The mitochondrial genome of yeast encodes eight proteins whereof seven are core subunits of the respiratory chain and ATP synthase. These subunits need to be assembled with subunits imported from the cytosol to ensure energy supply of the cell. Hence, coordination, timing and accuracy of mitochondrial gene expression is crucial for cellular energy production and homeostasis. Despite the central role of mitochondrial translation surprisingly little is known about the molecular mechanisms.In this work, I used baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to study different aspects of mitochondrial translation. Exploiting the unique possibility to make directed modifications in the mitochondrial genome of yeast, I established a mitochondrial encoded GFP reporter. This reporter allows monitoring of mitochondrial translation with different detection methods and enables more detailed studies focusing on timing and regulation of mitochondrial translation. Furthermore, employing insights gained from bacterial translation, we showed that mitochondrial translation efficiency directly impacts on protein homeostasis of the cytoplasm and lifespan by affecting stress handling. Lastly, we provided first evidence that mitochondrial protein quality control happens at a very early stage directly after or during protein synthesis at the ribosome. Surveillance of protein synthesis and assembly into complexes is important to avoid accumulation of misfolded or unassembled respiratory chain subunits which would disturb mitochondrial function.