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Updated: Jul 25, 2025

Author Spotlight: Regulation and Dysregulation of ER-Mitochondria Contacts — Implications for Neurodegenerative Disease Pathogenesis
Published on: October 11, 2024
Interactome Analysis of the ER Stress Sensor Perk Uncovers Key Components of ER-Mitochondria Contact Sites and Ca2+
Maria Livia Sassano1,2, Rita Derua3,4, Etienne Waelkens3,4
1Cell Death Research and Therapy Group, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract:
We recently reported that the ER stress kinase PERK regulates ER-mitochondria appositions and ER- plasma membrane (ER-PM) contact sites, independent of its canonical role in the unfolded protein response. PERK regulation of ER-PM contacts was revealed by a proximity biotinylation (BioID) approach and involved a dynamic PERK-Filamin A interaction supporting the formation of ER-PM contacts by actin-cytoskeleton remodeling in response to depletion of ER-Ca2+ stores. In this report, we further interrogated the PERK BioID interactome by validating through co-IP experiments the interaction between PERK and two proteins involved in Ca2+ handling and ER-mitochondria contact sites. These included the vesicle associated membrane (VAMP)-associated proteins (VAPA/B) and the main ER Ca2+ pump sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca ATPase 2 (SERCA2). These data identify new putative PERK interacting proteins with a crucial role in membrane contact sites and Ca2+ signaling further supporting the uncanonical role of PERK in Ca2+ signaling through membrane contact sites (MCSs).
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