Role of MINOS in mitochondrial membrane architecture and biogenesis

02.03.2012

van der Laan M, Bohnert M, Wiedemann N, Pfanner N.

Trends Cell Biol. 2012;22(4):185-92

Trends Cell Biol        online article

Mitochondria are organelles surrounded by two membrane systems. The inner membrane exhibits a complex morphology with distinct domains: the inner boundary membrane that is closely apposed to the outer mitochondrial membrane and the cristae, which are the main sites of oxidative phosphorylation. These membrane regions are connected by crista junctions structures. The identification of the mitochondrial inner membrane organizing system (MINOS) has shed a light on the molecular nature of crista junctions. Maintenance of these structures and the connection between inner boundary membrane and cristae requires the MINOS complex. Interestingly, MINOS is also implicated in the formation of contact sites between inner and outer mitochondrial membranes through interactions with protein translocases of the outer membrane. These outer membrane complexes are functionally linked to the ER-mitochondria encounter structure (ERMES) that connects the outer mitochondrial membrane to the ER membrane. We propose that MINOS and ERMES represent cornerstones of a large ER-mitochondria organizing network (ERMIONE) that controls the communication and cooperation of both organelles and is important for mitochondrial architecture and biogenesis.