Cytoplasmically Made Subunits of Yeast Mitochondrial F1-ATPase and Cytochrome c Oxidase are Synthesized as Individual Precursors, not as Polyproteins

At least three subunits of yeast mitochondrial F1-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) and at least two subunits of cytochrome c oxidase (ferrocytochrome c:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.9.3.1) are synthesized outside the mitochondria and imported into the organelles as individual precursors that are between 2000 and 6000 daltons larger than the mature subunits. These precursors were shown to be primary translation products. Therefore, neither the five F1subunits nor the four small cytochrome c oxidase subunits are synthesized as a single polyprotein.