Proteins imported into mitochondria must be unfolded in order to pass through translocation pores present in the mitochondrial membranes. An article in this issue suggests that not only the heat shock protein 70 in the matrix, but also the electrical membrane potential across the inner membrane can actively unfold preproteins via a pulling mechanism.
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Pfanner, N., Truscott, K. Powering mitochondrial protein import. Nat Struct Mol Biol 9, 234–236 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/nsb0402-234
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nsb0402-234
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