A guide to computational methods for predicting mitochondrial localization

Abstract

Predicting mitochondrial localization of proteins remains challenging for two main reasons: (1) Not only one but several mitochondrial localization signals exist, which primarily dictate the final destination of a protein in this organelle. However, most localization prediction algorithms rely on the presence of a so-called presequence (or N-terminal mitochondrial targeting peptide, mTP), which occurs in only ~70% of mitochondrial proteins. (2) The presequence is highly divergent on sequence level and therefore difficult to identify on the computer. In this chapter, we review a number of protein localization prediction programs and propose a strategy to predict mitochondrial localization. Finally, we give some helpful suggestions for bench scientists when working with mitochondrial protein candidates in silico.