ER Tubules Mark Sites of Mitochondrial Division

作者：Jonathan R. Friedman, Laura L. Lackner, Matthew West, Jared R. DiBenedetto, Jodi M. Nunnari, Gia K. Voeltz · 发表于：Science · 年份：2011 · DOI：10.1126/science.1207385 · 被引用次数：2132 · 研究领域：Mitochondrial Function and Pathology、ATP Synthase and ATPases Research、Metabolism and Genetic Disorders

Mitochondrial structure and distribution are regulated by division and fusion events. Mitochondrial division is regulated by Dnm1/Drp1, a dynamin-related protein that forms helices around mitochondria to mediate fission. Little is known about what determines sites of mitochondrial fission within the mitochondrial network. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria exhibit tightly coupled dynamics and have extensive contacts. We tested whether ER plays a role in mitochondrial division. We found that mitochondrial division occurred at positions where ER tubules contacted mitochondria and mediated constriction before Drp1 recruitment. Thus, ER tubules may play an active role in defining the position of mitochondrial division sites.