Mitochondrial pyruvate in mice

Question

1. Mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 2 resides in the inner membrane of mitochondria. Due to a genetic defect in a type of mouse cell that protein no longer stays in the inner membrane of mitochondria. Instead, it is present in the plasma membrane of those cells.

a) Do you think this will affect the cells anyway?

b) Give clear justification of your answer.

Answer 1

Hey Sai,

Hope this message finds you well!

We need to think of the anatomy of the mitochondria, the overall function and reactions that take place in eac of the compartments.

In the cytosol (outside of the cell) we have glycolysis, the inner membrance space can be the pyruvate oxidation, and the cristae, or inner membrance space is where the Citric Acid Cycle (C.A.C.) or Krebs Cycle takes place.

Let's also think about the molecule pyruvate: where does it fall in the biochemical pathway of the Glycolysis, Pyruvate Oxidation, and C.A.C.?

How does the pyruvate physically move into the Mitochondiral matrix?

Perhaps answering these questions and looking back at the original questions asked, may help guuide your thought process.

How does this sound?

-Jose