Identification of the mitochondrial carnitine carrier in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The mitochondrial carrier protein for carnitine has been identified in Sacc haromyces cerevisiae. It is encoded by the gene CRC1 and is a member of the family of mitochondrial transport proteins, The protein has been over-expr essed with a C-terminal His-tag in S. cerevisiae and isolated from mitochon dria by nickel affinity chromatography, The purified protein has been recon stituted into proteoliposomes and its transport characteristics established . It transports carnitine, acetylcarnitine, propionylcarnitine and to a muc h lower extent medium- and long- chain acylcarnitines, (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.