Fusion of mitochondria in mammalian cells is dependent on the mitochondrial inner membrane potential and independent of microtubules or actin.
Mitochondrial fusion is a poorly characterized process which has mainly been studied in yeast and Drosophila but is thought to occur in all eukaryotes. Until now, there was only indirect evidence to support such a process in mammalian cells. In this study, using a cell fusion system, we found that mitochondrial fusion occurs rapidly in mammalian cells and is completed in less than 24 h. We report that the fusion of mitochondria requires an intact mitochondrial inner membrane potential but is independent of a functional cytoskeleton.
Mattenberger
Yves
Y
Department of Cell Biology, University of Geneva, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, Geneva, Switzerland
James
Dominic I
DI
Martinou
Jean Claude
JC
D000199:Actins / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004285:Dogs; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000502:physiology*; D008561:Membrane Fusion; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology*; D014404:Tubulin / Q000502:physiology
D000199:Actins; D014404:Tubulin