Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2025
08:21
F1FO ATPase Vesicle Preparation and Technique for Performing Patch Clamp Recordings of Submitochondrial Vesicle Membranes
Published on: May 4, 2013
10.4K
Mitochondrial-derived vesicles retain membrane potential and contain a functional ATP synthase
Reut Hazan Ben-Menachem1, Dvora Lintzer1, Tamar Ziv2
1Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, IMRIC, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
EMBO Reports
|March 17, 2023
Summary
Functional mitochondria release specialized vesicles (MDVs) that carry and produce ATP. These mitochondrial-derived vesicles may regenerate ATP-deficient mitochondria and facilitate organelle communication.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Mitochondrial Biology
- Organelle Communication
Background:
- Mitochondria are vital organelles involved in energy production, metabolism, apoptosis, and aging.
- Cellular communication occurs via extracellular vesicles, but inter-organelle communication, especially involving mitochondria, is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether mitochondria release vesicles for inter-organelle communication.
- To characterize the cargo and function of these potential mitochondrial-derived vesicles (MDVs).
Main Methods:
- Isolation of functional mitochondria from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
- Characterization of released vesicles (MDVs) for size, protein cargo, and enzymatic activity.
- Assessment of MDV membrane potential and ATP production.
- Observation of MDV fusion with naive mitochondria.
Main Results:
- Mitochondria release vesicles (MDVs) independently of the fission machinery.
- MDVs are approximately 100 nm in size and contain ATP synthase subunits.
- Isolated MDVs possess a functional ATP synthase, exhibit membrane potential, and produce ATP.
- MDVs appear to fuse with naive mitochondria.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondria release functional, ATP-producing vesicles (MDVs).
- MDVs may serve as a mechanism for delivering energy to, and facilitating communication between, organelles.
- This process could potentially regenerate ATP-deficient mitochondria.
Related Concept Videos
01:28The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane
3.5K
The inner mitochondrial membrane is the primary site of ATP synthesis. The inner membrane domain that forms a smooth layer adjacent to the outer membrane is called the inner boundary membrane. This domain contains membrane transporters that drive metabolites in and out of the mitochondria. In contrast, the inner membrane network that invaginates into the matrix space is called the cristae membrane. This domain accounts for principle mitochondrial function as it accommodates the protein...
3.5K
01:45Mitochondrial Membranes
11.7K
A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...
11.7K
01:18ATP Synthase: Structure
12.7K
ATP synthase or ATPase is among the most conserved proteins found in bacteria, mammals, and plants. This enzyme can catalyze a forward reaction in response to the electrochemical gradient, producing ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate. ATP synthase can also work in a reverse direction by hydrolyzing ATP and generating an electrochemical gradient. Different forms of ATP synthases have evolved special features to meet the specific demands of the cell. Based on their specific feature, ATP...
12.7K
01:48ATP Synthase: Mechanism
14.8K
In animals, the mitochondrial F1F0 ATP synthase is the key protein that synthesizes ATP molecules through a complex catalytic mechanism. While the nuclear genome encodes the majority of ATP synthase subunits, the mitochondrial genome encodes some of the enzyme's most critical components. The formation of this multi-subunit enzyme is a complex multi-step process regulated at the level of transcription, translation, and assembly. Defects in one or more of these steps can result in decreased...
14.8K
01:28Electron Transport Chains
100.4K
The final stage of cellular respiration is oxidative phosphorylation that consists of two steps: the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis. The electron transport chain is a set of proteins found in the inner mitochondrial membrane in eukaryotic cells. Its primary function is to establish a proton gradient that can be used during chemiosmosis to produce ATP and generate electron carriers, such as NAD+ and FAD, that are used in glycolysis and the citric acid cycle.
The ETC is comprised of...
The ETC is comprised of...
100.4K
01:39Mitochondrial Protein Sorting
4.4K
Mitochondria are double-membrane organelles of the eukaryotes involved in cellular metabolism, signaling, ATP synthesis, and programmed cell death. Each of these processes requires specific proteins and enzymes that must be correctly sorted to the right mitochondrial subcompartment for the proper functioning of the organelle.
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...
4.4K