The yeast cytosol contains multiple homologs of the DnaK and DnaJ chaperone family. Our current understanding of which homologs functionally interact is incomplete. Zuotin is a DnaJ homolog bound to the yeast ribosome. We have now identified the DnaK homolog Ssz1p/Pdr13p as zuotin's partner chaperone. Zuotin and Ssz1p form a ribosome-associated complex (RAC) that is bound to the ribosome via the zuotin subunit. RAC is unique among the eukaryotic DnaK-DnaJ systems, as the 1:1 complex is stable, even in the presence of ATP or ADP. In vitro, RAC stimulates the translocation of a ribosome-bound mitochondrial precursor protein into mitochondria, providing evidence for its chaperone-like effect on nascent chains. In agreement with the existence of a functional complex, deletion of each RAC subunit resulted in a similar phenotype in vivo. However, overexpression of zuotin partly rescued the growth defect of the Delta ssz1 strain, whereas overexpression of Ssz1p did not affect the Delta zuo1 strain, suggesting a pivotal function for the DnaJ homolog.

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Journal Article | Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Authors

Gautschi M, Lilie H, Fünfschilling U, Mun A, Ross S, Lithgow T, Rücknagel P, Rospert S

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