Describe for the first time the structure of protein complexes necessary for cells

Scientists describe for the first time the structure of protein complexes necessary for cells

Scientists describe the structure of protein complexes necessary for cells for the first time Scientists describe the structure of protein complexes necessary for cells for the first time

When CIII ₂ CIV assembles into a supercomplex, its two parts are held together by a molecule like a fish hook
.

This optimizes the cell's metabolism

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In order to accomplish many tasks, cells need energy
.

In the energy source mitochondria, the energy in food is converted into adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules

Vercellino and Sazanov used cryo-electron microscopy technology to observe the condition of extremely small samples in their natural state
.

They showed the exact structure of the so-called super-complex CIII 2 CIV

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Therefore, this structure accomplishes a task similar to that of a car starter battery
.

So far, researchers have discovered that CIII 2 CIV has only been described in plant and yeast cells, and it takes very different forms

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To understand how the cells of humans and other animals produce energy, the researchers looked at the cells of mice and sheep, and the results surprised them
.

"No one can predict the mode of action of the molecule SCAF1
.

" Sazanov said

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In addition, scientists said that CIII 2 CIV has two different forms-one is locked and the other is unlocked or mature
.

"In the locked state, some parts of complex III are still missing, and the interaction between the two complexes is very close

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On the other hand, assembling into a super complex accelerates the process of chemical reactions, which is of great benefit to animals
.

It has been shown that mice and zebrafish lacking SCAF1 molecules are significantly smaller, less healthy, and less fertile

Vercellino and Sazanov describe such molecules formed CIII 2 role in the CIV, CIII 2 CIV optimized cell metabolism
.

This is the last piece of the mystery-the team has now determined the structure of all supercomplexes in mammalian mitochondria

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Related paper information: https://doi.
org/10.
1038/s41586-021-03927-z