This is the conserved N-terminal domain of ATPase family AAA domain-containing protein 3 (ATAD3) which is involved in dimerisation [1] and interacts with the inner surface of the outer mitochondrial membrane [2]. This domain is found associated with the AAA ATPase domain (Pfam:PF00004). ATAD3 is essential for mitochondrial network organisation, mitochondrial metabolism and cell growth at organism and cellular level. It may also play an important role in mitochondrial protein synthesis.

1: ATAD3B is a human embryonic stem cell specific mitochondrial protein, re-expressed in cancer cells, that functions as dominant negative for the ubiquitous ATAD3A. Merle N, Feraud O, Gilquin B, Hubstenberger A, Kieffer-Jacquinot S, Assard N, Bennaceur-Griscelli A, Honnorat J, Baudier J; Mitochondrion. 2012;12:441-448. PMID:22664726

2: The AAA+ ATPase ATAD3A controls mitochondrial dynamics at the interface of the inner and outer membranes. Gilquin B, Taillebourg E, Cherradi N, Hubstenberger A, Gay O, Merle N, Assard N, Fauvarque MO, Tomohiro S, Kuge O, Baudier J; Mol Cell Biol. 2010;30:1984-1996. PMID:20154147