Subhendra Nath Bhattacharyya

TL;DR: A large number of cytoplasmic tRNAs are imported into the kinetoplast-mitochondrion of Leishmania by a receptor-mediated process, resulting in rapid selection of several import aptamers containing sequence motifs present in the anticodon arm, the D arms, the V-T region, and acceptor stem of known tRNAAs, confirming or suggesting the presence of import signals in these domains.

TL;DR: By a combination of antibody inhibition, photochemical cross-linking, and immunoprecipitation, it was shown that binding of tRNAIle to a 21-kDa component of the complex is dependent upon tRNATyr, whilebinding of tR NATyr to a 45-KDa component is inhibited by t RNAIle, suggesting this “ping-pong” mechanism may be an effective means to maintain a balanced tRNA pool for mitochondrial translation.

TL;DR: The results are consistent with a mechanism involving stepwise transfer of tRNA through distinct outer and inner membrane channels, as well as with specific sorting mechanisms for individual tRNAs direct them to different mitochondrial compartments.

TL;DR: Observations imply a gating mechanism in which tRNA, on binding to its receptor, triggers the energetic activation of the complex, leading to the opening of import channels, implying an ATP requirement within the vesicles.

TL;DR: These experiments indicate the presence at the two membranes of receptors with distinct specificities which mediate stepwise transfer into the mitochondrial matrix of Leishmania, a kinetoplastid protozoan.