GRP75-dependent SIMPA mediates inter-organellar quality control

Mitochondria are bound by a double membrane and are semiautonomous organelles, rendering them highly vulnerable to global and internal proteostatic stress¹. Multiple surveillance mechanisms at proteostatic and inter-organellar levels have evolved to maintain mitochondrial integrity and cellular health^2-7. However, the precise mechanisms by which proteostatic damage relays stress signals across organelles and how the quality surveillance machinery coordinates these functions remain unknown. Here we report that under proteostatic stress, damaged mitochondrial proteins are sequestered to form stress-induced mitochondrial protein aggregates (SIMPAs) that activate specific quality control mechanisms in a spatially confined manner without perturbing the mitochondrial network. Quantitative proteomic and correlative light-electron microscopy analysis revealed that SIMPA mediates inter-organellar communication via mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum contact sites or mitochondrial-associated membranes. Mechanistically, GRP75 coordinates SIMPA biogenesis and focally activates endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response pathways via mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum contact sites or mitochondrial-associated membranes for the targeted clearance of SIMPAs. Functionally, in both cellular and liver disease models, we found that a GRP75-dependent SIMPA signalling cascade attenuates mitochondrial stress and preserves mitochondrial integrity under proteotoxic stress. Overall, we show that SIMPAs, functioning as protein condensates, serve as a central cross-compartment communication hub for mitochondrial quality control, supporting cellular and organismal fitness.