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Mfn2 localization in the ER is necessary for its bioenergetic function and neuritic development
Author(s) -
CasellasDíaz Sergi,
LarramonaArcas Raquel,
RiquéPujol Guillem,
TenaMorraja Paula,
MüllerSánchez Claudia,
SegarraMondejar Marc,
GavaldàNavarro Aleix,
Villarroya Francesc,
Reina Manuel,
MartínezEstrada Ofelia M,
Soriano Francesc X
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.15252/embr.202051954
Subject(s) - mfn2 , mitochondrion , mitochondrial fusion , microbiology and biotechnology , endoplasmic reticulum , bioenergetics , mfn1 , biology , biochemistry , mitochondrial dna , gene
Mfn2 is a mitochondrial fusion protein with bioenergetic functions implicated in the pathophysiology of neuronal and metabolic disorders. Understanding the bioenergetic mechanism of Mfn2 may aid in designing therapeutic approaches for these disorders. Here we show using endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or mitochondria‐targeted Mfn2 that Mfn2 stimulation of the mitochondrial metabolism requires its localization in the ER, which is independent of its fusion function. ER‐located Mfn2 interacts with mitochondrial Mfn1/2 to tether the ER and mitochondria together, allowing Ca 2+ transfer from the ER to mitochondria to enhance mitochondrial bioenergetics. The physiological relevance of these findings is shown during neurite outgrowth, when there is an increase in Mfn2‐dependent ER‐mitochondria contact that is necessary for correct neuronal arbor growth. Reduced neuritic growth in Mfn2 KO neurons is recovered by the expression of ER‐targeted Mfn2 or an artificial ER‐mitochondria tether, indicating that manipulation of ER‐mitochondria contacts could be used to treat pathologic conditions involving Mfn2.