Mitochondrial inner membrane bound Pet1402 protein is rapidly imported into mitochondria and affects the integrity of the cytochrome oxidase and ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase complexes.

In vitro synthesized Pet1402 precursor protein is very rapidly and efficiently imported into isolated mitochondria. The import depends on a membrane potential and functional mtHsp70. The mitochondrial targeting sequence of the Pet1402 precursor protein is removed by the matrix processing peptidase MPP and the mature protein is firmly embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane. The Pet1402 protein is required for the integrity of the cytochrome oxidase and ubiquinol-cytochrome c oxidoreductase complexes.