Endoplasmic reticulum–mitochondria contacts: function of the junction

Abstract

The most well-characterized organelle contact sites are those between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. Increased understanding is being gained of how ER–mitochondria contact sites are organized and which factors converge at this interface, some of which may provide a tethering function. The role of the ER–mitochondria junction in coordinating the functions of these two organelles is also becoming clearer, and it has been shown to be involved in the regulation of lipid synthesis, Ca2+ signalling and the control of mitochondrial biogenesis and intracellular trafficking.

Mechanism of liponecrosis, a distinct mode of programmed cell death

“…S3). [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Other PL classes (such as PE and CL) are known to be formed only in the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM); PE is then transported from mitochondria to the ER via mitochondria-ER junctions and from the ER to the PM via PM-ER junctions (Fig. S3).…”

A current perspective of autophagosome biogenesis

“…These two separate models, however, may be reconciled by the recent work by Hamasaki et al [68], which focuses on the contact sites between the ER and mitochondria (Figure 2). ER-mitochondria contact sites were previously known to exist and play important roles in mitochondria fission, calcium signaling, lipid transfer and so on [74]. It is possible that YFP-Mito cb5 TM entered the nascent isolation membrane after passing through the ER-mitochondria contact site.…”

Mitofusin 2 ablation increases endoplasmic reticulum–mitochondria coupling

“…Based on these results, we propose a new model for ER-mitochondria juxtaposition in which Mfn2 works as a tethering antagonist preventing an excessive, potentially toxic, proximity between the two organelles. mitofusin 2 | ER-mitochondria tethering | inter-organellar communication D uring the last decade, evidence has accumulated showing the existence of a continuous flux of information between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, two organelles whose privileged interplay is essential, e.g., for lipid metabolism and modulation of Ca 2+ signaling (1,2). As to the former, Vance (3) firstly described a partially purified microsomal subfraction pulled down with mitochondria (fraction X, later renamed "mitochondria-associated membrane," MAM) that was found to be enriched in phosphatidylserine synthase and several enzymes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism, cholesterol, and ceramide biosynthesis (4,5).…”