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| Title | Structural Analysis of Human LonP1 Protease Bound with the Native Substrate. |
|---|---|
| Journal, issue, pages | Life (Basel), Vol. 16, Issue 3, Year 2026 |
| Publish date | Mar 16, 2026 |
Authors | Ming Li / Hongwei Liu / Shengchun Zhang / Qijun Gao / Shanshan Li / Junfeng Wang / Kaiming Zhang / ![]() |
| PubMed Abstract | The human mitochondrial Lon protease (LonP1) is a central regulator of mitochondrial DNA copy number and metabolic reprogramming. However, the structural basis for how LonP1 recognizes native ...The human mitochondrial Lon protease (LonP1) is a central regulator of mitochondrial DNA copy number and metabolic reprogramming. However, the structural basis for how LonP1 recognizes native physiological substrates remains elusive. Here, we present the high-resolution cryo-EM structure of the human LonP1 hexamer actively engaging its native substrate, TFAM. The reconstruction reveals a distinct bipartite search-and-shred mechanism. Unlike its bacterial homologs, the human N-terminal domain (NTD) adopts a compact architecture acting as a selective vestibule to recruit and initially unfold the substrate tertiary structure. Subsequently, the polypeptide is threaded through the central channel via a hand-over-hand mechanism driven by a spiral array of aromatic pore-loops. This structural framework provides a mechanistic rationale for the spatial segregation of LonP1 and offers a template for targeting mitochondrial proteostasis in human diseases. |
External links | Life (Basel) / PubMed:41900996 / PubMed Central |
| Methods | EM (single particle) |
| Resolution | 3.22 Å |
| Structure data | EMDB-68281, PDB-22ib: |
| Chemicals | ![]() ChemComp-AGS: ![]() ChemComp-ADP: ![]() ChemComp-MG: |
| Source |
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Keywords | STRUCTURAL PROTEIN / Human Lon protease / Complex |
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homo sapiens (human)
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