Mitochondrial fusion but not fission regulates larval growth and synaptic development through steroid hormone production

Hector Sandoval, Chi-Kuang Yao, Kuchuan Chen, Manish Jaiswal, Taraka Donti, Yong Qi Lin, Vafa Bayat, Bo Xiong, Ke Zhang, Gabriela David, Wu-Lin Charng, Shinya Yamamoto, Lita Duraine, Brett H Graham, Hugo J Bellen

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    89 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Mitochondrial fusion and fission affect the distribution and quality control of mitochondria. We show that Marf (Mitochondrial associated regulatory factor), is required for mitochondrial fusion and transport in long axons. Moreover, loss of Marf leads to a severe depletion of mitochondria in neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Marf mutants also fail to maintain proper synaptic transmission at NMJs upon repetitive stimulation, similar to Drp1 fission mutants. However, unlike Drp1, loss of Marf leads to NMJ morphology defects and extended larval lifespan. Marf is required to form contacts between the endoplasmic reticulum and/or lipid droplets (LDs) and for proper storage of cholesterol and ecdysone synthesis in ring glands. Interestingly, human Mitofusin-2 rescues the loss of LD but both Mitofusin-1 and Mitofusin-2 are required for steroid-hormone synthesis. Our data show that Marf and Mitofusins share an evolutionarily conserved role in mitochondrial transport, cholesterol ester storage and steroid-hormone synthesis.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    JournaleLife
    Volume3
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Oct 14 2014

    Keywords

    • Animals
    • Animals, Genetically Modified
    • Axons
    • Cholesterol
    • Cytoskeletal Proteins
    • Drosophila Proteins
    • Drosophila melanogaster
    • Ecdysone
    • Endoplasmic Reticulum
    • GTP Phosphohydrolases
    • GTP-Binding Proteins
    • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
    • Genetic Complementation Test
    • Humans
    • Larva
    • Lipid Droplets
    • Longevity
    • Membrane Proteins
    • Mitochondria
    • Mitochondrial Dynamics
    • Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins
    • Mitochondrial Proteins
    • Neuromuscular Junction
    • Synapses
    • Synaptic Transmission
    • rho GTP-Binding Proteins
    • Journal Article
    • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
    • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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