MICU1 controls cristae junction and spatially anchors mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter complex

Nat Commun. 2019 Aug 19;10(1):3732. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-11692-x.

Abstract

Recently identified core proteins (MICU1, MCU, EMRE) forming the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter complex propelled investigations into its physiological workings. Here, we apply structured illumination microscopy to visualize and localize these proteins in living cells. Our data show that MICU1 localizes at the inner boundary membrane (IBM) due to electrostatic interaction of its polybasic domain. Moreover, this exclusive localization of MICU1 is important for the stability of cristae junctions (CJ), cytochrome c release and mitochondrial membrane potential. In contrast to MICU1, MCU and EMRE are homogeneously distributed at the inner mitochondrial membrane under resting conditions. However, upon Ca2+ elevation MCU and EMRE dynamically accumulate at the IBM in a MICU1-dependent manner. Eventually, our findings unveil an essential function of MICU1 in CJ stabilization and provide mechanistic insights of how sophistically MICU1 controls the MCU-Complex while maintaining the structural mitochondrial membrane framework.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism*
  • Calcium Signaling / physiology
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cation Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • HEK293 Cells
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / physiology*
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Membranes / metabolism

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • MICU1 protein, human
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins
  • SMDT1 protein, human
  • mitochondrial calcium uniporter
  • Calcium