Mitochondrial Nucleoid: Shield and Switch of the Mitochondrial Genome

Figure 3

mtDNA packaging by TFAM and its degradation by the mitochondrial AAA protease LONP1. Human circular mtDNA is packaged by TFAMs, but their excessive packing of mtDNA may result in shutdown of mtDNA transcription and replication. TFAM can be degraded by the mitochondrial protease LONP1. LonP1, mitochondrial AAA protease; mtDNA, mitochondrial DNA; TFAM, mitochondrial transcription factor A.