LonP1 Links Mitochondria–ER Interaction to Regulate Heart Function
Yujie Li,
Dawei Huang,
Lianqun Jia,
Fugen Shangguan,
Shiwei Gong,
Linhua Lan,
Zhiyin Song,
Juan Xu,
Chaojun Yan,
Tongke Chen,
Yin Tan,
Yongzhang Liu,
Xingxu Huang,
Carolyn K. Suzuki,
Zhongzhou Yang,
Guanlin Yang,
Bin Lu
Affiliations
Yujie Li
The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hengyang Medical School,
University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
Dawei Huang
School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences,
Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China.
Lianqun Jia
Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for TCM Viscera-State Theory and Applications, Ministry of Education of China,
Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning 110847, China.
Fugen Shangguan
School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences,
Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China.
Shiwei Gong
School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences,
Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China.
Linhua Lan
School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences,
Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China.
Zhiyin Song
Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences,
Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China.
Juan Xu
Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital,
Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210004, China.
Chaojun Yan
Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences,
Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, China.
Tongke Chen
Animal Center,
Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China.
Yin Tan
Department of Cardiology,
The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.
Yongzhang Liu
School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences,
Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, China.
Xingxu Huang
School of Life Science and Technology,
Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
Carolyn K. Suzuki
Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School-Rutgers,
The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA.
Zhongzhou Yang
State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Cardiology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School and MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center,
Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, China.
Guanlin Yang
Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for TCM Viscera-State Theory and Applications, Ministry of Education of China,
Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning 110847, China.
Bin Lu
The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hengyang Medical School,
University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
Interorganelle contacts and communications are increasingly recognized to play a vital role in cellular function and homeostasis. In particular, the mitochondria–endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane contact site (MAM) is known to regulate ion and lipid transfer, as well as signaling and organelle dynamics. However, the regulatory mechanisms of MAM formation and their function are still elusive. Here, we identify mitochondrial Lon protease (LonP1), a highly conserved mitochondrial matrix protease, as a new MAM tethering protein. The removal of LonP1 substantially reduces MAM formation and causes mitochondrial fragmentation. Furthermore, deletion of LonP1 in the cardiomyocytes of mouse heart impairs MAM integrity and mitochondrial fusion and activates the unfolded protein response within the ER (UPRER). Consequently, cardiac-specific LonP1 deficiency causes aberrant metabolic reprogramming and pathological heart remodeling. These findings demonstrate that LonP1 is a novel MAM-localized protein orchestrating MAM integrity, mitochondrial dynamics, and UPRER, offering exciting new insights into the potential therapeutic strategy for heart failure.
