A special latch in yeast mitofusin guarantees mitochondrial fusion by stabilizing self-assembly.

ABSTRACT: The mitochondrion is a highly dynamic organelle, constantly undergoing fusion and fission, which are critical processes for the health of cells. Fusion of the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) is mediated by the mitofusins belonging to the dynamin superfamily of GTPases. Most eukaryotic organisms possess two cooperatively functioning mitofusins, but yeast has only one mitofusin (Fzo1). How Fzo1 solely catalyzes OMM fusion is unclear. Here, we present crystal structures of truncated Fzo1 (Fzo1_IM) in different nucleotide-loading states and report a special mechanistic feature of Fzo1 through systematic functional studies. Differing from mammalian mitofusins, Fzo1 contains an extra latch bulge (LB) that is essential for the viability of yeast. Upon GTP loading, Fzo1_IM d

SUBMITTER: Huang SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12578975 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature