Cytoplasmic dynein regulates the subcellular distribution of mitochondria by controlling the recruitment of the fission factor dynamin-related protein-1

Varadi, Aniko; Johnson-Cadwell, Linda I.; Cirulli, Vincenzo; Yoon, Yisang; Allan, Victoria J.; Rutter, Guy A.

Abstract

While the subcellular organisation of mitochondria is likely to influence many aspects of cell physiology, its molecular control is poorly understood. Here, we have investigated the role of the retrograde motor protein complex, dynein-dynactin, in mitochondrial localisation and morphology. Disruption of dynein function, achieved in HeLa cells either by over-expressing the dynactin subunit, dynamitin (p50), or by microinjection of an anti-dynein intermediate chain antibody, resulted in (a) the redistribution of mitochondria to the nuclear periphery, and (b) the formation of long and highly branched mitochondrial structures. Suggesting that an alteration in the balance between mitochondrial fission and fusion may be involved in both of these changes, overexpression of p50 induced the translocation of the fission factor dynamin-related protein (Drp1) from mitochondrial membranes to the cytosol and microsomes. Moreover, a dominant-negative-acting form of Drp1 mimicked the effects of p50 on mitochondrial morphology, while wild-type Drp1 almost completely restored normal mitochondrial distribution in p50 over-expressing cells. Thus, the dynein/dynactin complex plays an unexpected role in the regulation of mitochondrial morphology in living cells, by controlling the recruitment of Drp1 to these organelles.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2004
• Journal: Journal of Cell Science
• Print ISSN: 0021-9533
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-9137
• Publisher: Company of Biologists
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 117
• Issue: 19
• Pages: 4389-4400
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.01299
• Keywords: cytoplasmic dynein, mitochondria, motor proteins, fission
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1058024
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jcs.01299
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This paper demonstrated a novel concept that cytoplasmic dynein regulates mitochondrial morphology by controlling the recruitment of the dynamin-related protein to these organelles. This work has been extensively reviewed by leading cell biology, genetics and diabetes journals (Nature Reviews in Molecular Cell Biology, Current Biology, Annual Review of Genetics, Diabetes).