Mitochondria-Plasma Membrane Contact Sites: Emerging Regulators of Mitochondrial Form and Function

Sites of close apposition between organelles, known as membrane contact sites (MCSs), are critical regulators of organelle function. Mitochondria form elaborate reticular networks that perform essential metabolic and signaling functions. Many mitochondrial functions are regulated by MCSs formed between mitochondria and other organelles. In this review, we aim to bring attention to an understudied, but physiologically important, MCS between mitochondria and the plasma membrane (PM). We first describe the molecular mechanism of mitochondria-PM tethering in budding yeast and discuss its role in regulating multiple biological processes, including mitochondrial dynamics and lipid metabolism. Next, we discuss the evidence for mitochondria-PM tethering in higher eukaryotes, with a specific emphasis on mitochondria-PM contacts in retinal cells, and speculate on their functions. Finally, we discuss unanswered questions to guide future research into the function of mitochondria-PM contact sites.