Bcs1l - BCS1-like (yeast)

The protein encoded by this gene is a chaperone protein that is involved in the assembly of complex III (CIII), one of the five protein complexes of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and is necessary for the insertion of the Rieske iron-sulfur (RISP) and Qcr10p proteins into the precomplex. Studies from the yeast ortholog of this protein indicate that it is targeted to the inner membrane of the mitochondria, despite the absence of an N-terminal targeting sequence. Positively charged amino acids located C-terminal to the transmembrane domain are thought to act as an internal targeting signal (PMID:8599931). Mutations in the human ortholog of this gene have been associated with GRACILE syndrome, characterized by Growth retardation, Amino aciduria, Cholestasis, Iron overload, Lactic acidosis, and Early death. Mouse models with the corresponding mutation mimic the phenotype of GRACILE syndrome and display decreased complex III activity and decreased electron transport capacity (PMID:21274865). Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Mar 2015]