ReviewThe ER-mitochondria couple: In life and death from steroidogenesis to tumorigenesis

- MAMs have a relevant role in adrenal steroidogenesis.
- MAMs are an essential hub for the control of apoptosis.
- FATE1 counteracts apoptosis by increasing ER-mitochondria distance.

Steroidogenesis is a multistep process where interorganelle communications between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria are critical. These intimate interactions physically occur through the Mitochondria-Associated ER membranes called MAMs. MAMs play important roles in mitochondrial morphology and in many cellular functions ranging from lipid metabolism, to calcium signaling and apoptosis together with a critical effect on steroidogenesis. Moreover, our recent characterization of new MAM resident proteins in adrenocortical cells extends the function of MAM in the mechanism of resistance of cancer cells to apoptotic stimuli and offers new perspectives in targeted therapeutic approaches for adrenocortical tumorigenesis.