Proteolytic regulation of plant mitochondrial biogenesis and respiratory pathway

Mitochondria are central to cellular activities, most notably respiration that generates ATP as the energy currency. To ensure proper activity, mitochondrial proteins need to be maintained in protein homeostasis (proteostasis) during synthesis, import, maturation, assembly, and degradation. This thesis presents a compendium of works that identify functions of several proteases responsible for mitochondrial proteostasis. Proline-cleaving aminopeptidases involved in the organellar peptide processing have been characterised. Furthermore, the disassembly of respiratory Complex I by FTSH3, an inner membrane-bound protease, has also been determined. Together, this thesis provides mechanistic insights of proteolytic regulation that contributes to mitochondrial function.