Society for Endocrinology - a world-leading authority on hormones


Endocrinologist 137 Cover (72 dpi).jpg
Issue 137 Autumn 2020

Endocrinologist > Autumn 2020 > Hot topics


Role of MICOS assembly in crista formation

| Hot topics



p4-5 mitochondria.jpg

The ability of mitochondria to complete critical functions such as ATP generation and lipid metabolism is a product of their iconic structure. It has also long been understood that aberrances in the folds of mitochondrial cristae are associated with numerous, severe, life-limiting human conditions. Despite their clear importance to human health, the molecular processes dictating their formation and also wider mitochondrial architecture are poorly understood. Stephan et al. recently increased our knowledge in this area by using CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out individual genes of the human MICOS (mitochondrial contact site and cristae organising system) along with super-resolution microscopy techniques to capture images of the structure of single mitochondria. They discovered that individual proteins within the MICOS are associated with specific aspects of crista formation, with each one playing a role in tightly co-ordinated organisation. Interestingly, they also found that crista precursors are first formed prior to remodelling by the MICOS complex.

As a result of these experiments, they propose a new model for mitochondrial crista formation in higher eukaryotes distinct from that in lower eukaryotes. This advancement in knowledge moves us towards a better grasp of the genetic and physical interactions that give rise to the unique energy-generating organelles inside our cells.

Read the full article in EMBO Journal doi:10.15252/embj.2019104105

 




This Issue:

Autumn 2020

Autumn 2020

The Endocrinologist

...

Autumn 2024

Autumn 2024