Submitochondrial localization of 6-N-trimethyllysine dioxygenase - implications for carnitine biosynthesis

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Abstract

The first enzyme of carnitine biosynthesis is the mitochondrial 6-N-trimethyllysine dioxygenase, which converts 6-N-trimethyllysine to 3-hydroxy-6-N-trimethyllysine. Using progressive membrane solubilization with digitonin and protease protection experiments, we show that this enzyme is localized in the mitochondrial matrix. Latency experiments with intact mitochondria showed that 3-hydroxy-6-N-trimethyllysine formation is limited by 6-N-trimethyllysine transport across the mitochondrial inner membrane. Because the subsequent carnitine biosynthesis enzymes are cytosolic, after production, 3-hydroxy-6-N-trimethyllysine must be transported out of the mitochondria by a putative mitochondrial 6-N-trimethyllysine/3-hydroxy-6-N-trimethyllysine transporter system. This transport system represents an additional step in carnitine biosynthesis that could have considerable implications for the regulation of carnitine biosynthesis
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5845-5851
JournalFEBS journal
Volume274
Issue number22
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007

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