Mitochondrial Safeguard: a stress response that offsets extreme fusion and protects respiratory function via flickering-induced Oma1 activation

EMBO J. 2020 Dec 15;39(24):e105074. doi: 10.15252/embj.2020105074. Epub 2020 Nov 17.

Abstract

The connectivity of mitochondria is regulated by a balance between fusion and division. Many human diseases are associated with excessive mitochondrial connectivity due to impaired Drp1, a dynamin-related GTPase that mediates division. Here, we report a mitochondrial stress response, named mitochondrial safeguard, that adjusts the balance of fusion and division in response to increased mitochondrial connectivity. In cells lacking Drp1, mitochondria undergo hyperfusion. However, hyperfusion does not completely connect mitochondria because Opa1 and mitofusin 1, two other dynamin-related GTPases that mediate fusion, become proteolytically inactivated. Pharmacological and genetic experiments show that the activity of Oma1, a metalloprotease that cleaves Opa1, is regulated by short pulses of the membrane depolarization without affecting the overall membrane potential in Drp1-knockout cells. Re-activation of Opa1 and Mitofusin 1 in Drp1-knockout cells further connects mitochondria beyond hyperfusion, termed extreme fusion, leading to bioenergetic deficits. These findings reveal an unforeseen safeguard mechanism that prevents extreme fusion of mitochondria, thereby maintaining mitochondrial function when the balance is shifted to excessive connectivity.

Keywords: Drp1; Oma1; Opa1; mitochondrial fusion; mitofusin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dynamins / genetics
  • Dynamins / metabolism
  • Energy Metabolism
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Metalloendopeptidases / genetics*
  • Metalloendopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Metalloproteases / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Dynamics / physiology
  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism
  • Stress, Physiological / genetics
  • Stress, Physiological / physiology*
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Metalloproteases
  • OMA1 protein, mouse
  • Metalloendopeptidases
  • molecule metalloprotease-related protein-1, human
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • Mfn1 protein, human
  • DNM1L protein, human
  • Dynamins