InterPro domain: IPR024158

Mitochondrial functions rely on the correct transport of resident proteinssynthesized in the cytosol to mitochondria. Protein import into mitochondriais mediated by membrane protein complexes, protein translocators, in the outerand inner mitochondrial membranes, in cooperation with their assistantproteins in the cytosol, intermembrane space and matrix. Proteins destined tothe mitochondrial matrix cross the outer membrane with the aid of the outermembrane translocator, the tOM40 complex, and then the inner membrane with theaid of the inner membrane translocator, the TIM23 complex, and mitochondrial motor and chaperone (MMC) proteins including mitochondrial heat-shock protein 70 (mtHsp70), and translocase in the inner mitochondrialmembrane (Tim)15. Tim15 is also known as zinc finger motif (Zim)17 or mtHsp70escort protein (Hep)1. Tim15 contains a zinc-finger motif (CXXCand CXXC) of ~100 residues, which has been named DNL after a short C-terminalmotif of D(N/H)L [ 1 , 2 , 3 ].

1. Zim17, a novel zinc finger protein essential for protein import into mitochondria. J. Biol. Chem. 279, 50243-9
2. Identification of a novel member of yeast mitochondrial Hsp70-associated motor and chaperone proteins that facilitates protein translocation across the inner membrane. FEBS Lett. 579, 507-11
3. Structural basis of functional cooperation of Tim15/Zim17 with yeast mitochondrial Hsp70. EMBO Rep. 8, 664-70