Regulation of the actin-based dynamics of mitochondria by myosin XIX

线粒体提供维持真核细胞存活所需的能量。此外，它们还参与中间代谢、钙信号和细胞凋亡。线粒体功能障碍导致多细胞生物体的多效性缺陷，一些组织受到的影响比其他组织更严重，经常导致退行性疾病。线粒体的形态和在细胞内的分布是高度动态和受调节的。马达分子沿微管和肌动蛋白细丝移动线粒体。在哺乳动物细胞中，线粒体沿微管的运动是相对确定的。相关的马达分子已经被识别出来，它们与线粒体的结合方式也被部分阐明。另一方面，线粒体沿肌动蛋白细丝运动的研究很少。肌球蛋白XIX(myosin XIX，Myo19)是最近发现的基于肌动蛋白的运动分子超家族成员，已被报道与线粒体有关。我们计划研究Myo19在线粒体动力学和运动中的作用。此外，我们将试图阐明Myo19是如何与线粒体相互作用的。初步数据显示，一种线粒体蛋白也参与其中，该蛋白也与基于微管的马达结合。这一发现提出了一个问题，即线粒体依赖肌动蛋白和微管的运动是如何协调的。

Mitochondria supply the energy that is needed to keep eukaryotic cells alive. Furthermore, they are involved in intermediary metabolism, calcium signaling, and apoptosis. Mitochondrial dysfunction leads to pleiotropic defects in multicellular organisms with some tissues being more affected than others often giving rise to degenerative diseases. The morphology of mitochondria and distribution within cells is highly dynamic and regulated. Motor molecules move mitochondria along microtubules and actin filaments. In mammalian cells mitochondrial movement along microtubules is relatively well established. The relevant motor molecules have been identified and their mode of association with mitochondria has been partially elucidated. On the other hand, the movement of mitochondria along actin filaments is little studied. Myosin XIX (Myo19), a recently discovered member of the actin-based motor molecule superfamily, has been reported to associate with mitochondria. We plan to study the contribution of Myo19 to the dynamics and movement of mitochondria. Further, we will try to elucidate how Myo19 is interacting with mitochondria. Preliminary data suggest that a mitochondrial protein is involved that is also binding to a microtubule-based motor. This finding raises the question of how actin- and microtubule-dependent movements of mitochondria are coordinated.