The Interface Between ER and Mitochondria: Molecular Compositions and Functions

• Published in: Molecules and cells Vol. 41; no. 12; pp. 1000 - 1007
• Main Authors: Lee, Soyeon, Min, Kyung-Tai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 31.12.2018; 한국분자세포생물학회
• Subjects: Endoplasmic Reticulum - metabolism; Humans; Minireview; Mitochondria - metabolism; Mitochondrial Membranes - metabolism; Neurodegenerative Diseases - metabolism; Neurodegenerative Diseases - pathology; 생물학; ER-mitochondria tethering; mitochondrial-associated ER membrane (MAM); neurodegenerative disease
• ISSN: 1016-8478; 0219-1032
• DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2018.0438

Mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are essential organelles in eukaryotic cells, which play key roles in various biological pathways. Mitochondria are responsible for ATP production, maintenance of Ca homeostasis and regulation of apoptosis, while ER is involved in protein folding, lipid metabolism as well as Ca homeostasis. These organelles have their own functions, but they also communicate via mitochondrial-associated ER membrane (MAM) to provide another level of regulations in energy production, lipid process, Ca buffering, and apoptosis. Hence, defects in MAM alter cell survival and death. Here, we review components forming the molecular junctions of MAM and how MAM regulates cellular functions. Furthermore, we discuss the effects of impaired ER-mitochondrial communication in various neurodegenerative diseases.