Identification of an ATP-sensitive potassium channel in mitochondria.

Mitochondria provide chemical energy for endoergonic reactions in the form of ATP, and their activity must meet cellular energy requirements, but the mechanisms that link organelle performance to ATP levels are poorly understood. Here we confirm the existence of a protein complex localized in mitochondria that mediates ATP-dependent potassium currents (that is, mitoK). We show that-similar to their plasma membrane counterparts-mitoK channels are composed of pore-forming and ATP-binding subunits, which we term MITOK and MITOSUR, respectively.

The m-AAA Protease Associated with Neurodegeneration Limits MCU Activity in Mitochondria.

Mutations in subunits of mitochondrial m-AAA proteases in the inner membrane cause neurodegeneration in spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA28) and hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP7). m-AAA proteases preserve mitochondrial proteostasis, mitochondrial morphology, and efficient OXPHOS activity, but the cause for neuronal loss in disease is unknown. We have determined the neuronal interactome of m-AAA proteases in mice and identified a complex with C2ORF47 (termed MAIP1), which counteracts cell death by regulating the assembly of the mitochondrial Ca uniporter MCU.

[Cervicofacial actinomycosis. Description of a clinical case].

The Authors describe a clinical case of a 60 year old man with cervico-facial actinomycosis. The histology, the differential diagnosis and the successful penicillin therapy are also discussed.

[Erythematodes-like paraneoplastic syndrome. Description of a case].

The Authors describe a case of a 65 year-old man with paraneoplasic syndrome, presenting erythematous-edematous figure lesions. Clinical, histological and immunological features were suggestive of lupus erythematosus.