Signaling hubs at ER/mitochondrial membrane associations

Department(s)

Natural Science

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2017

Keywords

Apoptosis signaling, Endoplasmic reticulum, Inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptor, Lipid rafts, Mitochondrial associated membranes, Neurodegeneration, Organelle tethers

Abstract

Signaling between organelles has profound implications for our understanding of organelle structural organization and regulatory processes. Close regional apposition of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial membranes has been known for 50 years, but only in the past 20 years have scientists begun to unravel the nature and purpose of these quasi-synaptic contact points. At these sites of association, membranes have been shown to be of unique molecular composition, defining raft domains that are densely populated with membrane proteins, sphingolipids, and cholesterol. These associations are now referred to as mitochondrial associated membranes (MAMs). MAM domains mediate a complex array of cellular processes including; exchange of macromolecules, Ca transfer, physical tethering, regulation of mitochondrial division, and signaling pathways that control autophagy and apoptosis. Dysfunction of MAM function is known to have profound cellular influence, and including the activation of several neurodegenerative disorders. 2+

Publication Title

AIMS Biophysics

E-ISSN

23779098

Volume

4

Issue

2

First Page

222

Last Page

239

DOI

10.3934/biophy.2017.2.222

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