[33] Allotopic expression of mitochondrial ATP synthase genes in nucleus of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Publisher Summary The technique of allotopic expression is a powerful tool in the systematic analysis of the relationship between structure and function of the mitochondrially encoded mtATPase protein, subunit 8. In particular, functional allotopic expression of subunit 8 has permitted the implementation of a range of gene manipulation and expression strategies that focus on three distinct regions of this protein: the highly conserved N-terminal functional region, the central hydrophobic region, and the positively charged C-terminal region, which plays a key role in the assembly of the subunit into mtATPase. The technique of allotopic expression provides a system to test the in vivo function of the tagged construct. The approach of allotopic expression developed in yeast provides a model for application to other biological systems. Specifically, it may be possible to redress deficiencies in mitochondrially encoded proteins of humans, associated with mitochondrial disease, by application of allotopic expression strategies. This can provide a route toward gene therapy for diseases arising from mtDNA mutations.