Fig. 9: The mitochondrial T2SS (miT2SS) as part of a hypothetical eukaryotic functional pathway connecting the mitochondrion and the peroxisome. | Nature Communications

Fig. 9: The mitochondrial T2SS (miT2SS) as part of a hypothetical eukaryotic functional pathway connecting the mitochondrion and the peroxisome.

From: Analysis of diverse eukaryotes suggests the existence of an ancestral mitochondrial apparatus derived from the bacterial type II secretion system

Fig. 9

The scheme presents the most reasonable interpretation of the findings reported in this study, but further work is needed to test details of the working model. According to the model, a nucleus-encoded protein (green), possibly one of the newly identified Gcp proteins, is imported via the TOM complex into the mitochondrial inner membrane space, where it is modified by addition of a specific prosthetic group. After folding it becomes a substrate of the miT2SS machinery, is exported from the mitochondrion and finally reaches the peroxisome. The loading of the prosthetic group, the delivery to the peroxisome and possibly also the actual function of the protein in the peroxisome is assisted by specific subsets of other Gcp proteins. The hypothetical presence of Gcp proteins in specific (sub)compartments is depicted as a group of orange ovals. OMM outer mitochondrial membrane, IMS intermembrane space, IMM inner mitochondrial membrane, MM mitochondrial matrix.

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