The GTPase domain of gamma-tubulin is required for normal mitochondrial function and spatial organization.

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Lindström L, Li T, Malycheva D, Kancharla A, Nilsson H, Vishnu N, Mulder H, Johansson M, Rosselló CA, Alvarado-Kristensson M

Commun Biol 1 (1) 37 [2018-05-03; online 2018-05-03]

In the cell, γ-tubulin establishes a cellular network of threads named the γ-string meshwork. However, the functions of this meshwork remain to be determined. We investigated the traits of the meshwork and show that γ-strings have the ability to connect the cytoplasm and the mitochondrial DNA together. We also show that γ-tubulin has a role in the maintenance of the mitochondrial network and functions as reduced levels of γ-tubulin or impairment of its GTPase domain disrupts the mitochondrial network and alters both their respiratory capacity and the expression of mitochondrial-related genes. By contrast, reduced mitochondrial number or increased protein levels of γ-tubulin DNA-binding domain enhanced the association of γ-tubulin with mitochondria. Our results demonstrate that γ-tubulin is an important mitochondrial structural component that maintains the mitochondrial network, providing mitochondria with a cellular infrastructure. We propose that γ-tubulin provides a cytoskeletal element that gives form to the mitochondrial network.

Integrated Microscopy Technologies Gothenburg [Service]

NGI Uppsala (SNP&SEQ Technology Platform) [Service]

National Genomics Infrastructure [Service]

PubMed 30271923

DOI 10.1038/s42003-018-0037-3

Crossref 10.1038/s42003-018-0037-3

pii: 10.1038/s42003-018-0037-3
pmc: PMC6123723