A Mitochondrial Carrier Family for Solute Transport

Abstract

It is generally accepted that mitochondria have been incorporated into eukaryotic cells from prokaryote progenitors. The similarity to prokaryotes is reflected clearly in the structure of the mitochondrial DNA. The most important compounds which are carried by mitochondria in the eukaryote cell are the systems of oxidative phosphorylation, comprising the respiratory chain and the ATP synthesis. Although the function of these components are quite similar, these complexes have acquired a considerable amount of additional peptides of still largely unknown function. The membrane carriers for anionic metabolites are entirely new components with clear functions having evolved on the transition from the procaryotes to the mitochondria.