Analysis of mitochondrial morphology and movement

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An RNA interference screen using nematode led us to identification of a novel kinasin KLP6 involved in mitochondrial morphology and movement. The dominant-negative KLP6 induced abnormal mitochondrial morphology in HeLa cells. Furthermore, anterograde transport of mitochondria in the neurites of differentiated neuro2a cells was significantly reduced when the dominant negative form was overexpressed, indicating that KLP6 regulates intracellular transport of mitochondria.Downregulation of an inner membrane protein LETM1 induces mitochondrial swelling and fragmentation. Moreover, cristae structure clearly disappeared in the LETM1-knockdown cells. To investigate the LETM1 functions, we attempted to in vitro reconstitute membrane invagination using LETM1 recombinant protein and artificial liposome. This is a good tool to analyze the roles of LETM1 on the formation of mitochondrial inner membrane structures.