title: Mitofusin 2 builds a bridge between ER and mitochondria.
abstract: Mutations in mitofusin 2 (MFN2), a dynamin-like GTPase required for mitochondrial fusion, cause the peripheral neuropathy Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2A. In a recent report in Nature, de Brito and Scorrano (2008) demonstrate a new function of MFN2-tethering the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria to control the efficiency of mitochondrial uptake of Ca2+ ions.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50674 Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Merkwirth
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Langer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001370:Axonal Transport; D002460:Cell Line; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism*; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D011689:Purkinje Cells / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases; C488750:Mfn1 protein, mouse; C488751:Mfn2 protein, mouse