[Mitochondrial transport of nucleic acids. Participation of the benzodiazepine receptor].

The models of mitochondrial transmembrane nucleic acid transfer are discussed. According to this hypothesis, mitochondria can exchange their nucleic acids by two possible mechanisms including either intermitochondrial fusion and fission or transmembrane transport. In the latter case, important roles for mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptor and factors that regulate activities of its components (mitochondrial porin and adenine nucleotide translocator) are suggested. Nucleic acids can be transported through a Ca(2+)-dependent pore that can be one of the functional states of mitochondrial exchange of genetic material. Problems like cellular aging, apoptosis, proliferation, mitochondrial diseases, multidrug resistance, intracellular traffic, and mitochondrial heredity are discussed considering an important role of mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptor in these processes.