Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026

07:55
An Improved Method to Isolate Mitochondrial Contact Sites
Published on: June 16, 2023
Abstract:
Starvation of animals or cells triggers autophagic degradation of cell contents to retrieve nutrients, but, paradoxically, mitochondria enlarge. This is now shown to result from inhibition of mitochondrial fission through PKA-mediated phosphorylation of the GTPase DRP1. Elongation of mitochondria optimizes ATP production and spares them from autophagy-mediated destruction.
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