Vimentin supports mitochondrial morphology and organization.
Vimentin is one of the intermediate filaments that functions in structural support, signal transduction and organelle positioning of a cell. In the present study, we report the contribution of vimentin in mitochondrial morphology and organization. Using subcellular fractionation, immunoprecipitation and fluorescence microscopy analyses, we found that vimentin was associated with mitochondria. Knockdown of vimentin resulted in mitochondrial fragmentation, swelling and disorganization. We further demonstrated that the vimentin cytoskeleton co-localized and interacted with mitochondria to a greater extent than other cytoskeletal components known to support mitochondria. Our results also suggest that vimentin could participate in the mitochondrial association of microtubules. As mitochondrial morphologies determine mitochondrial function, our findings revealed a potentially important relationship between the vimentin-based intermediate filaments and the regulation of mitochondria.
Tang
Ho Lam
HL
Department of Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Lung
Hong Lok
HL
Wu
Ka Chun
KC
Le
Anh-Huy Phan
AH
Tang
Ho Man
HM
Fung
Ming Chiu
MC
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D014746:Vimentin / Q000502:physiology*
D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D014746:Vimentin