Tumor necrosis factor is delivered to mitochondria where a tumor necrosis factor-binding protein is localized.

The roles of the known tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors (TNFR-I and TNFR-II) and their associated signaling pathways in mediating the diverse actions of TNF remain incompletely defined. We have found that a proportion of exogenous TNF is delivered to mitochondria as well as to lysosomes. Using confocal and immunoelectron microscopy and Western blotting of subcellular fractions, we have identified a 60-kd protein in the inner mitochondrial membrane that is recognized by a monoclonal antibody to TNFR-II. In isolated mitochondria, this protein binds [125I]-TNF. This provides evidence of a mitochondrial binding protein for an extracellular ligand and demonstrates the presence of a pathway capable of delivering TNF from the cell surface to mitochondria. These findings suggest that TNF effects on cells may be due in part to a direct effect on mitochondria.