Mitofusin gain and loss of function drive pathogenesis in Drosophila models of CMT 2A neuropathy

Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease type 2A ( CMT 2A) is caused by dominant alleles of the mitochondrial pro‐fusion factor Mitofusin 2 ( MFN 2). To address the consequences of these mutations on mitofusin activity and neuronal function, we generate Drosophila models expressing in neurons the two most frequent substitutions (R94Q and R364W, the latter never studied before) and two others localizing to similar domains (T105M and L76P). All alleles trigger locomotor deficits associated with mitochondrial depletion at neuromuscular junctions, decreased oxidative metabolism and increased mt DNA mutations, but they differently alter mitochondrial morphology and organization. Substitutions near or within the GTP ase domain (R94Q, T105M) result in loss of function and provoke aggregation of unfused mitochondria. In contrast, mutations within helix bundle 1 (R364W, L76P) enhance mitochondrial fusion, as demonstrated by the rescue of mitochondrial alterations and locomotor deficits by over‐expression of the fission factor DRP 1. In conclusion, we show that both dominant negative and dominant active forms of mitofusin can cause CMT 2A‐associated defects. §