Mitofusin 2 but not mitofusin 1 mediates Bcl-XL-induced mitochondrial aggregation

• DOI: 10.1242/jcs.245001
• Publication Date: 2020-09-21T16:12:23Z
• Authors: Mengyan Du; Si Yu; Wenhua Su; Mengxin Zhao; Fangfang Yang; Yangpei Liu; Zihao Mai; Yong Wang; Xiaoping Wang; Tongsheng Chen
• Keywords: MFN1; MFN2; Bcl-2 Family

Bcl-2 family proteins, as central players of the apoptotic program, participate in regulation mitochondrial network. Here, a quantitative live-cell fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) two-hybrid assay was used to confirm homo-/hetero-oligomerization mitofusins 2 and 1 (MFN2 MFN1), also demonstrate binding MFN2 MFN1 with 1:1 stoichiometry. A FRET for living cells co-expressing CFP-labeled Bcl-XL (an anti-apoptotic protein encoded by BCL2L1) YFP-labeled or demonstrated Neither nor bound monomeric Bax healthy cells, but both bind punctate (pro-apoptotic protein) during apoptosis. Oligomerized Bak (also known BAK1; pro-apoptotic only associated not MFN2. Moreover, co-expression had same effect expression alone staurosporine-induced apoptosis, indicating has its full ability when complexed MFN1. However, knockdown reduced aggregation induced overexpression Bcl-XL, that mediates Bcl-XL-induced aggregation.