The Yin & Yang of Mitochondrial Architecture - Interplay of MICOS and FF-ATP synthase in cristae formation.

Oxidative phosphorylation takes place at specialized compartments of the inner mitochondrial membrane, the cristae. The elaborate ultrastructure of cristae membranes enables efficient chemi-osmotic coupling of respiratory chain and FF-ATP synthase. Dynamic membrane remodeling allows mitochondria to adapt to changing physiological requirements. The mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (MICOS) and the oligomeric ATP synthase have been known to govern distinct features of cristae architecture. A new study 1 on the crosstalk between these two machineries now sheds light on the mechanisms of cristae formation and maintenance.