Elucidating the role of Metaxin proteins in mitochondrial function

Metaxins are proteins of the sorting and assembly machinery (SAM) that help deliver proteins to mitochondria, the cell’s energy factories. These proteins are found on the outside surface of mitochondria. How Metaxins function in humans is not clearly understood. In fact, mutations in the gene encoding Metaxin can lead to a rare disease that causes premature ageing. Using an array of biochemical approaches, this work expands upon the current understanding of the Metaxin proteins and their contributions to many aspects of mitochondrial function including protein biogenesis and the upkeep of cellular mitochondrial content.