Mtr2p

Mtr2p is a protein found in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It plays a crucial role in mitochondrial protein import, specifically in the post-translational translocation of proteins into the mitochondrial matrix. Mtr2p is a component of the mitochondrial inner membrane translocase complex, often referred to as the TIM23 complex. This complex is essential for transporting proteins synthesized in the cytoplasm across the inner mitochondrial membrane into the mitochondrial matrix, where they perform various functions.

The TIM23 complex itself consists of several subunits, including the TIM23 translocator and the TIM17 protein. Mtr2p is an essential partner to TIM23, forming a heteromeric pore through which the precursor proteins are guided. Its precise function within this pore is thought to involve facilitating the passage of the hydrophobic signal sequences of imported proteins, as well as acting as a regulatory component of the translocase activity. Without functional Mtr2p, yeast cells are unable to efficiently import a significant number of essential mitochondrial proteins, leading to severe respiratory defects and impaired mitochondrial function. Research into Mtr2p has provided valuable insights into the intricate mechanisms governing protein transport into mitochondria, a process fundamental to cellular life.