Biological process

mitochondrial matrix protein import, protein transport into mitochondrial matrix

The import of proteins across the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes into the matrix. Unfolded proteins enter the mitochondrial matrix with a chaperone protein; the information required to target the precursor protein from the cytosol to the mitochondrial matrix is contained within its N-terminal matrix-targeting sequence. Translocation of precursors to the matrix occurs at the rare sites where the outer and inner membranes are close together.