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Binding of a specific ligand inhibits import of a purified precursor protein into mitochondria

Nature volume 322, pages 228–232 (1986)Cite this article

Abstract

Methotrexate, a folate antagonist, blocks import into mitochondria of mouse dihydrofolate reductase fused to a mitochondrial presequence. Methotrexate does not mask the presequence, but stabilizes the dihydrofolate reductase moiety. It does not inhibit import of the authentic precursor from which the presequence is derived. This suggests that dihydrofolate reductase must at least partly unfold in order to be transported across mitochondrial membranes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biocenter, University of Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland

    Martin Eilers & Gottfried Schatz

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  1. Martin Eilers
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  2. Gottfried Schatz
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Eilers, M., Schatz, G. Binding of a specific ligand inhibits import of a purified precursor protein into mitochondria. Nature 322, 228–232 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/322228a0

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