Sub-mitochondrial localization of the genetic-tagged mitochondrial intermembrane space-bridging components Mic19, Mic60 and Sam50

J Cell Sci. 2017 Oct 1;130(19):3248-3260. doi: 10.1242/jcs.201400. Epub 2017 Aug 14.

Abstract

Each mitochondrial compartment contains varying protein compositions that underlie a diversity of localized functions. Insights into the localization of mitochondrial intermembrane space-bridging (MIB) components will have an impact on our understanding of mitochondrial architecture, dynamics and function. By using the novel visualizable genetic tags miniSOG and APEX2 in cultured mouse cardiac and human astrocyte cell lines and performing electron tomography, we have mapped at nanoscale resolution three key MIB components, Mic19, Mic60 and Sam50 (also known as CHCHD3, IMMT and SAMM50, respectively), in the environment of structural landmarks such as cristae and crista junctions (CJs). Tagged Mic19 and Mic60 were located at CJs, distributed in a network pattern along the mitochondrial periphery and also enriched inside cristae. We discovered an association of Mic19 with cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV. It was also found that tagged Sam50 is not uniformly distributed in the outer mitochondrial membrane and appears to incompletely overlap with Mic19- or Mic60-positive domains, most notably at the CJs.

Keywords: APEX; Crista junction; Cristae; EFTEM; MICOS; miniSOG.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Membranes / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Precursor Protein Import Complex Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • CHCHD3 protein, human
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Precursor Protein Import Complex Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • SAMM50 protein, human