In organello formaldehyde crosslinking of proteins to mtDNA: Identification of bifunctional proteins

Brett A. Kaufman, Scott M. Newman, Richard L. Hallberg, Clive A. Slaughter, Philip S. Perlman, Ronald A. Butow

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

176 Scopus citations

Abstract

The segregating unit of mtDNA is a protein-DNA complex called the nucleoid. In an effort to understand how nucleoid proteins contribute to mtDNA organization and inheritance, we have developed an in organello formaldehyde crosslinking procedure to identify proteins associated with mtDNA. Using highly purified mitochondria, we observed a time-dependent crosslinking of protein to mtDNA as determined by sedimentation through isopycnic cesium chloride gradients. We detected ≃20 proteins crosslinked to mtDNA and identified 11, mostly by mass spectrometry. Among them is Abf2p, an abundant, high-mobility group protein that is known to function in nucleoid morphology, and in mtDNA transactions. In addition to several other proteins with known DNA binding properties or that function in mtDNA maintenance, we identified other mtDNA-associated proteins that were not anticipated, such as the molecular chaperone Hsp60p and a Krebs cycle protein, Kgd2p. Genetic experiments indicate that hsp60-ts mutants have a petite-inducing phenotype at the permissive temperature and that a kgd2Δ mutation increases the petite-inducing phenotype of an abf2Δ mutation. Crosslinking and DNA gel shift experiments show that Hsp60p binds to single-stranded DNA with high specificity for the template strand of a putative origin of mtDNA replication. These data identify bifunctional proteins that participate in the stability of ρ+ mtDNA.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)7772-7777
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume97
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 5 2000
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'In organello formaldehyde crosslinking of proteins to mtDNA: Identification of bifunctional proteins'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this