Mitochondrial organization in the developing proximal tubule is controlled by LRRK2

The proximal tubule of the nephron performs energy-demanding functions such as resorption of water, amino acids and glucose. Formation of the energy-producing machinery is an essential step in proximal tubule epithelial cell differentiation, and this report asks how mitochondria are localized within these cells. We show that mitochondria move from the apical to basolateral side of the proximal tubule cell coincident with the initiation of lumen flow and that proximal tubules deficient in filtration maintain mitochondria in the apical position. Mitochondrial localization depends on the activity of LRRK2 and modeling fluid flow on cultured proximal tubule epithelial cells demonstrates that LRRK2 activity is regulated by fluid shear stress, explaining how onset of flow in the newly differentiated proximal tubule may trigger the apical-to-basolateral dissemination of mitochondria. These findings indicate that mitochondrial redistribution is one component of a cellular program in the nascent proximal tubule that drives function and that this process is triggered by flow.