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Review
. 2007 Dec;8(12):1668-1675.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0854.2007.00644.x. Epub 2007 Oct 17.

Moving mitochondria: establishing distribution of an essential organelle

Rebecca L Frederick  1   2 , Janet M Shaw  1
Affiliations
Review

Moving mitochondria: establishing distribution of an essential organelle

Rebecca L Frederick et al. Traffic. 2007 Dec.

Abstract

Mitochondria form a dynamic network responsible for energy production, calcium homeostasis and cell signaling. Appropriate distribution of the mitochondrial network contributes to organelle function and is essential for cell survival. Highly polarized cells, including neurons and budding yeast, are particularly sensitive to defects in mitochondrial movement and have emerged as model systems for studying mechanisms that regulate organelle distribution. Mitochondria in multicellular eukaryotes move along microtubule tracks. Actin, the primary cytoskeletal component used for transport in yeast, has more subtle functions in other organisms. Kinesin, dynein and myosin isoforms drive motor-based movement along cytoskeletal tracks. Milton and syntabulin have recently been identified as potential organelle-specific adaptor molecules for microtubule-based motors. Miro, a conserved GTPase, may function with Milton to regulate transport. In yeast, Mmr1p and Ypt11p, a Rab GTPase, are implicated in myosin V-based mitochondrial movement. These potential adaptors could regulate motor activity and therefore determine individual organelle movements. Anchoring of stationary mitochondria also contributes to organelle retention at specific sites in the cell. Together, movement and anchoring ultimately determine mitochondrial distribution throughout the cell.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Mitochondria move directionally in polarized cells
A) In neurons, anterograde transport carries mitochondria (blue) away from the cell body and nucleus (pink) along microtubules (yellow) toward the synapse. Retrograde movement returns mitochondria from distal sites within the axon to the cell body. B) In budding yeast, mitochondria (blue) are moved anterograde along actin cables (red) into the daughter cell. Inheritance of mitochondria by the bud is required for cell viability. Retrograde movement toward the pole of the mother cell may contribute to retention of mitochondria in the mother cell.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Molecular motor adaptor complexes mediate mitochondrial movement
Motor proteins (red) facilitate mitochondrial (blue) movement along cytoskeletal tracks (gray) such as actin filaments or microtubules. Organelle-specific interactions are established by adaptor proteins (purple) that complex with the motor. Adaptors likely require integral outer mitochondrial membrane proteins to serve as receptors (green), allowing localization of the motor adaptor complex to the organelle.
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