Small mitochondrial protein NERCLIN regulates cardiolipin homeostasis and mitochondrial ultrastructure

Cardiolipin (CL) is an essential phospholipid for mitochondrial structure and function. Here, we present a small mitochondrial protein, NERCLIN, as a negative regulator of CL homeostasis and mitochondrial ultrastructure. Primate-specific NERCLIN is expressed ubiquitously from the GRPEL2 locus on a tightly regulated low level. NERCLIN overexpression severely disrupts mitochondrial cristae structure and induces mitochondrial fragmentation. Proximity labeling and immunoprecipitation analysis suggested interactions of NERCLIN with CL synthesis and prohibitin complexes on the matrix side of the inner mitochondrial membrane. Lipid analysis indicated that NERCLIN regulates mitochondrial CL content. Furthermore, NERCLIN is responsive to heat stress ensuring OPA1 processing and cell survival. Thus, we propose that NERCLIN contributes to the stress-induced adaptation of mitochondrial dynamics. Our findings add NERCLIN to the group of recently identified small mitochondrial proteins with important regulatory functions.