FOR 2848:  Nanoscale Architecture and Heterogeneity of the Mitochondrial Inner Membrane

• Subject Area: Biology
• Term: since 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 401510699

Mitochondria display a unique morphology, which is characterized by a smooth outer membrane and a highly convoluted inner membrane. While the organization of the inner membrane into inner boundary and crista membrane is primarily topological, it is becoming increasingly clear that this organization also reflects a functional compartmentation. Hence, membrane composition, morphology, and function appear to be tightly linked with each other. The prevailing view in the field is that the inner membrane organization defines specialized protein and lipid environments, which allow the cell to spatially organize protein functions. Yet, there are immense gaps in our knowledge as to how the shape of the inner membrane is established and maintained, how proteins are sequestered in the inner membrane, and how protein composition and shape can be regulated by the cell to match metabolic demands. To this end, experimental approaches that provide temporal and spatial information of inner membrane shape and protein localisations are essential to assess and eventually understand how membrane architecture and functional organization are brought about. In this research initiative, we take a decisive step to tackle fundamental questions on mitochondrial ultrastructure and bring together researchers with unique and complementary expertise in mitochondrial imaging technologies with scientists addressing central biological questions on mitochondrial functions.

• DFG Programme: Research Units

Projects

• Coordination Funds (Applicant Jakobs, Stefan )
• Crosstalk and Metabolic Control of Mitochondrial Inner Membrane-Shaping Protein Machineries (Applicants van der Laan, Martin ;  Rampelt, Heike )
• Electron mircroscopy (Applicants Jakobs, Stefan ;  Riedel, Dietmar )
• Influence of oligodendrocyte factors in vivo on the heterogeneity of the inner mitochondrial membrane in axons of retinal ganglion cells and white matter tracts (Applicant Möbius, Ph.D., Wiebke )
• Investigation of the spatial distribution of OXPHOS complex assembly in mammalian cells (Applicants Jakobs, Stefan ;  Rehling, Peter )
• Molecular characterization of protein-dependent inner mitochondrial membrane morphogenesis (Applicant Meinecke, Michael )
• P09 Structure and mechanisms of membrane protein complexes in mitochondrial membrane organization (Applicant Kühlbrandt, Werner )
• Role of the inner mitochondrial membrane in innate immune signaling paradigms (Applicant Winklhofer, Konstanze )
• Structural and mechanistic studies on the machineries governing the shape of the inner mitochondrial membrane (Applicant Daumke, Oliver )
• Structural basis and organization of human cytochrome c oxidase biogenesis (Applicant Hillen, Hauke )
• Supramolecular organization of ATP synthase and protonic energy coupling (Applicant Busch, Karin )
• The role of membrane scaffolds for the spatial organization and heterogeneity of the mitochondrial inner membrane (Applicant Langer, Thomas )

• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Stefan Jakobs