Tim23p is the central component of TIM23 complex.
Interaction of Tim23p with presequence is crucial for precursor proteins importing.
We first found the strong interactions of divalent metal ions with human Tim23IMS.
The interaction of presequence with Tim23IMS is weakened in presence of Ca2+ ions.
It implicated that Ca2+ may play an important role in protein import by TIM23 complex.