Yes, there is translation in mitochondria.
Mitochondria possess their own protein synthesis machinery, which includes ribosomes called mitoribosomes, that perform translation. According to the provided reference, translation in mitochondria is indeed carried out by specialized mitoribosomes. Let's explore some key aspects of this process:
Mitoribosomes: The Protein Factories of Mitochondria
Mitoribosomes are structurally distinct from cytoplasmic ribosomes and are specifically adapted for mitochondrial translation.
- Composition: Mammalian mitoribosomes are composed of two subunits: a large subunit (39S) and a small subunit (28S).
- rRNA and Proteins: The large subunit contains a 16S rRNA and 48 proteins, while the small subunit contains a 12S rRNA and 30 proteins.
| Mitoribosome Subunit | Components |
|---|---|
| Large Subunit (39S) | 16S rRNA, 48 proteins |
| Small Subunit (28S) | 12S rRNA, 30 proteins |
This specialized machinery allows mitochondria to synthesize a subset of proteins essential for their function, particularly those involved in the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation.
