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Theintermembrane space (IMS) is the space occurring between or involving two or more membranes.[1] In cell biology, it is most commonly described as the region between theinner membrane and theouter membrane of amitochondrion or achloroplast. It also refers to the space between the inner and outer nuclear membranes of thenuclear envelope, but is often called the perinuclear space.[citation needed] The IMS of mitochondria plays a crucial role in coordinating a variety of cellular activities, such as regulation of respiration and metabolic functions. Unlike the IMS of the mitochondria, the IMS of the chloroplast does not seem to have any obvious function.
Mitochondria are surrounded by two membranes; the inner and outer mitochondrial membranes. These two membranes allow the formation of two aqueous compartments, which are the intermembrane space (IMS) and the matrix.[2] Channel proteins called porins in the outer membrane allow free diffusion of ions and small proteins about 5000 daltons or less into the IMS. This makes the IMS chemically equivalent to the cytosol regarding the small molecules it contains. By contrast, specific transport proteins are required to transport ions and other small molecules across the inner mitochondrial membrane into the matrix due to its impermeability.[3] The IMS also contains many enzymes that use the ATP moving out of the matrix to phosphorylate other nucleotides and proteins that initiate apoptosis.[4]
Most of proteins destined for themitochondrial matrix are synthesized asprecursors in the cytosol and are imported into the mitochondria by the translocase of the outer membrane (TOM) and the translocase of the inner membrane (TIM).[3][5] The IMS is involved in the mitochondrial protein translocation. The precursor proteins called small TIMchaperones which are hexameric complexes are located in the IMS and they bind hydrophobic precursor proteins and delivery the precursors to the TIM.[6]
The pyruvate generated byglycolysis and the fatty acids produced by breakdown of fats enter the mitochondrial IMS through theporins in the outer mitochondrial membrane.[7] Then they are transported across the inner mitochondrial membrane into the matrix and converted into theacetyl CoA to enter thecitric acid cycle.[7][8]
The respiratory chain in the inner mitochondrial membrane carries out oxidative phosphorylation. Three enzyme complexes are responsible for the electron transport: NADH-ubiquinoneoxidoreductase complex (complex I), ubiquinone-cytochrome coxidoreductase complex (complex III), and cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV).[9] The protons are pumped from the mitochondrial matrix to the IMS by these respiratory complexes. As a result, an electrochemical gradient is generated, which is combined by forces due to a H+ gradient (pH gradient) and a voltage gradient (membrane potential). The pH in the IMS is about 0.7 unit lower than the one in the matrix and the membrane potential of the IMS side becomes more positively charged than the matrix side. This electrochemical gradient from the IMS to the matrix is used to drive the synthesis of ATP in the mitochondria.[4]
Releasing ofcytochrome c from the IMS to the cytosol activatesprocaspases and triggers acaspase cascade leading toapoptosis.[3]
The intermembrane space (IMS) of thechloroplast is exceedingly small, from 10 to 20 nm thick. Unlike the IMS of the mitochondria, the IMS of the chloroplast does not seem to have any obvious function. The translocase of the outer membrane (TOC) and the translocase of the inner membrane (TIC) mainly assist the translocation of chloroplastprecursor proteins[10]Chaperone involvement in the IMS has been proposed but still remains uncertain. The eukaryoticHsp70, which is the heat shock protein of 70 kDa, typically localized in the cytoplasm is also found in the IMS of chloroplasts. The resulting hypothesis states that co-localization of Hsp70 is important for efficient translocation of protein precursors into and across the IMS of chloroplasts.[11]
The nuclear envelope is composed of two lipid bilayer membranes that are penetrated bynuclear pores and separated by a small intermembrane space, which is often called the perinuclear space.[12] The perinuclear space is usually about 20-40 nm wide.[13] The perinuclear translocation of certain proteins and enzymes were studied and results showed that perinuclear space was important for genome integrity and gene regulation.[14]
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