Crucial to organellogenesis was the development of membrane translocases responsible for delivering proteins to new cellular compartments. This investigation examines the Trichomonas vaginalis hydrogenosome, a mitochondrially derived organelle. We identify an expanded family of putative β-barrel proteins (THOM A-I) comprising nine related sequences. Sub-cellular localisation by immunofluorescence and biochemical fractionation is consistent with THOMs being localised to the hydrogenosomal membrane. Native gel electrophoresis and chemical cross-linking support the ability of THOM proteins to be components of membrane-bound oligomeric protein complexes, consistent with a role in protein translocation.
Copyright © 2012 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.