Metaxins are core components of mitochondrial transport adaptor complexes.

ABSTRACT: Trafficking of mitochondria into dendrites and axons plays an important role in the physiology and pathophysiology of neurons. Mitochondrial outer membrane protein Miro and adaptor proteins TRAKs/Milton link mitochondria to molecular motors. Here we show that metaxins MTX-1 and MTX-2 contribute to mitochondrial transport into both dendrites and axons of C. elegans neurons. MTX1/2 bind to MIRO-1 and kinesin light chain KLC-1, forming a complex to mediate kinesin-1-based movement of mitochondria, in which MTX-1/2 are essential and MIRO-1 plays an accessory role. We find that MTX-2, MIRO-1, and TRAK-1 form another distinct adaptor complex to mediate dynein-based transport. Additionally, we show that failure of mitochondrial trafficking in dendrites causes age-dependent dendrite degeneration.

SUBMITTER: Zhao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7782850 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature