TOM70: Proteins and Enzymes

Functional mitochondria require up to 1000 proteins to function properly, with 99% synthesized as precursors in the cytoplasm and transported into the mitochondria with the aid of cytosolic chaperones and mitochondrial translocators (import components). Proteins to be imported are chaperoned to the mitochondria by the cytosolic heat shock protein (cHSP70) and are immediately pursued by Translocators of the Outer Membrane (TOMs), followed by transient interactions of the unfolded proteins with Translocators of the Inner Membrane (TIMs). TOMM70A is ubiquitously expressed in human tissues and localizes in the mitochondria. TOMM70A could play a significant role in the import of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial proteins with internal targeting sites such as ADP/ATP carriers and the uncoupling proteins.