title: ER-to-mitochondria miscommunication and metabolic diseases.
abstract: Eukaryotic cells contain a variety of subcellular organelles, each of which performs unique tasks. Thus follows that in order to coordinate these different intracellular functions, a highly dynamic system of communication must exist between the various compartments. Direct endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mitochondria communication is facilitated by the physical interaction of their membranes in dedicated structural domains known as mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs), which facilitate calcium (Ca(2+)) and lipid transfer between organelles and also act as platforms for signaling. Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of MAM in ensuring correct function of both organelles, and recently MAMs have been implicated in the genesis of various human diseases. Here, we review the salient structural features of interorganellar communication via MAM and discuss the most common experimental techniques employed to assess functionality of these domains. Finally, we will highlight the contribution of MAM to a variety of cellular functions and consider the potential role of MAM in the genesis of metabolic diseases. In doing so, the importance for cell functions of maintaining appropriate communication between ER and mitochondria will be emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Center for Molecular Studies of the Cell (CEMC), Faculty of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile.
authors.forename: Camila
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: López-Crisosto
authors.affiliation: Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Center for Molecular Studies of the Cell (CEMC), Faculty of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bravo-Sagua
authors.affiliation: Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Center for Molecular Studies of the Cell (CEMC), Faculty of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Peña
authors.affiliation: Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Center for Molecular Studies of the Cell (CEMC), Faculty of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mera
authors.affiliation: Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Faculty of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile.
authors.forename: Pablo F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Center for Molecular Studies of the Cell (CEMC), Faculty of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile.
authors.forename: Andrew F G
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Quest
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiology), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA.
authors.forename: Beverly A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Rothermel
authors.affiliation: Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile, Santiago 7830490, Chile.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cifuentes
authors.affiliation: Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS), Center for Molecular Studies of the Cell (CEMC), Faculty of Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago 8380492, Chile; Department of Internal Medicine (Cardiology), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, USA. Electronic address: slavander@uchile.cl.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lavandero
keywords: Endoplasmic reticulum; Interorganelle communication; Metabolic diseases; Mitochondria; Mitochondria-associated membranes; Mitochondrial metabolism