J. Prudent

Protein thiol alterations drive aberrant phase separation in aging

This study shows that aging-related changes in cysteine posttranslational modifications alter protein phase separation, leading to aggregation and neurodegeneration.

ESYT1 tethers the endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria and is required for mitochondrial lipid and calcium homeostasis

This study identifies ESYT1 as a key protein tethering ER and mitochondria at MERCs, showing its role in calcium and lipid homeostasis.

Loss of Mfn1 but not Mfn2 enhances adipogenesis

The paper shows that loss of Mfn1 promotes adipogenesis in cultured cells, while loss of Mfn2 does not, indicating distinct roles for Mfn1 and Mfn2 in adipocyte differentiation.

A mouse model of human mitofusin 2-related lipodystrophy exhibits adipose-specific mitochondrial stress and reduced leptin secretion

This study uses a mouse model to show that a MFN2 mutation causes adipose-specific mitochondrial stress and reduced leptin secretion, linking mitochondrial dysfunction to metabolic disease.

mtFociCounter for automated single-cell mitochondrial nucleoid quantification and reproducible focianalysis

mtFociCounter quantifies mitochondrial nucleoids in single cells, revealing cell-to-cell heterogeneity and showing correlation between nucleoid number and mitochondrial area.

PERK-ATAD3A interaction protects mitochondrial proteins synthesis during ER stress

The paper identifies ATAD3A as a PERK interactor that modulates PERK-eIF2 signaling during ER stress, allowing selective translation of mitochondrial proteins.

Selective and reversible disruption of mitochondrial inner membrane protein complexes by lipophilic cations

This study shows alkyl-TPP reversibly alters mitochondrial morphology and function, selectively decreasing inner membrane proteins and cleaving Optic atrophy-1, with effects not due to membrane potential loss.

Decreasing pdzd8-mediated mitochondrial-ER contacts in neurons improves fitness by increasing mitophagy

This study shows reducing pdzd8-mediated mitochondrial-ER contacts in neurons improves fitness and lifespan by enhancing mitophagy in Drosophila.