Mitochondrial Cristae: Where Beauty Meets Functionality

Mitochondrial cristae are dynamic bioenergetic compartments whose shape changes under different physiological conditions. Recent discoveries have unveiled the relation between cristae shape and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) function, suggesting that membrane morphology modulates the organization and function of the OXPHOS system, with a direct impact on cellular metabolism. As a corollary, cristae-shaping proteins have emerged as potential modulators of mitochondrial bioenergetics, a concept confirmed by genetic experiments in mouse models of respiratory chain deficiency. Here, we review our knowledge of mitochondrial ultrastructural organization and how it impacts mitochondrial metabolism.

TrendsMitochondria adapt their shape to sustain necessary cellular functions.Cristae are functional dynamic compartments whose shape and dimensions modulate the kinetics of chemical reactions and the structure of protein complexes.Cristae shape is maintained by the cooperation of mitochondrial-shaping proteins.Perturbations of mitochondrial-shaping proteins disrupt cristae shape and affect the structure of the OXPHOS system, impairing cellular metabolism and growth.Cristae shape could be an interesting and promising therapeutic target for modulating metabolic dysfunction.