Mitochondrial membrane tension governs fission

• DOI: 10.1101/255356
• Publication Date: 2018-01-30T06:10:27Z
• Authors: Dora Mahecic; Lina Carlini; Tatjana Kleele; Adai Colom; Antoine Goujon; Stefan Matile; Aurélien Roux; Suliana Manley
• Keywords: Tension (geology); Constriction

Abstract During mitochondrial fission, key molecular and cellular factors assemble on the outer membrane, where they coordinate to generate constriction. Constriction sites can eventually divide, or reverse upon disassembly of machinery. However, a role for membrane tension in although speculated, has remained undefined. We captured dynamics constricting mitochondria mammalian cells using live-cell structured illumination microscopy (SIM). By analyzing diameters tubules that emerge from implementing fluorescence lifetime-based sensor, we discovered are indeed under tension. Under perturbations reduce tension, constrictions initiate at same rate, but less likely divide. propose model based our estimates bending energy living which accounts observed probability distribution