Zinc is essential for function of mitochondria as a cofactor for several matrix zinc metalloproteins. We demonstrate that a labile cationic zinc component of low molecular mass exists in the yeast mitochondrial matrix. This zinc pool is homeostatically regulated in response to the cellular zinc status. This pool of zinc is functionally important because matrix targeting of a cytosolic zinc-binding protein reduces the level of labile zinc and interferes with mitochondrial respiratory function. We identified a series of proteins that modulate the matrix zinc pool, one of which is a novel conserved mitochondrial protein designated Mzm1. Mutant mzm1⌬ cells have reduced total and labile mitochondrial zinc, and these cells are hypersensitive to perturbations of the labile pool. In addition, mzm1⌬ cells have a destabilized cytochrome c reductase (Complex III) without any effects on Complexes IV or V. Thus, we have established that a link exists between Complex III integrity and the labile mitochondrial zinc pool.All known mitochondrial zinc-requiring metalloproteins are synthesized in the cytoplasm and must be imported as newly synthesized polypeptides into the organelle as with most resident proteins. Protein import into the mitochondria requires unfolded polypeptides, so folding and metallation occur upon import. Thus, a bioavailable pool of Zn(II) must be maintained within the mitochondria for efficient metallation reactions. The folding of metalloproteins is dependent on the availability and the selective insertion of the appropriate metal ion. Mis-metallation by a non-native metal ion may be deleterious yielding either an inactive protein or a misfolded state prone to aggregation.The zinc mitochondrial metalloproteome is large relative to other metals and distributed throughout the organelle (1). The zinc proteome is heavily populated by proteases and in yeast include the iAAA, mAAA, Oma1, Oct1, Icp55, Atp23, and the MPP protease complex. These proteases all share an essential HEXXH or HXXEH metal-binding motif and whereas many metalloproteinases can be activated in vitro by diverse divalent cations, Zn(II) is likely to be the physiological metal ion bound.Zn(II) is an abundant cofactor for a variety of additional metalloenzymes in mitochondria, including Adh3, Adh4, and