Light-activated mitochondrial fission through optogenetic control of mitochondria-lysosome contacts

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles whose fragmentation by fission is critical to their functional integrity and cellular homeostasis. Here, we develop a method via optogenetic control of mitochondria-lysosome contacts (MLCs) to induce mitochondrial fission with spatiotemporal accuracy. MLCs can be achieved by blue-light-induced association of mitochondria and lysosomes through various photoactivatable dimerizers. Real-time optogenetic induction of mitochondrial fission is tracked in living cells to measure the fission rate. The optogenetic method partially restores the mitochondrial functions of SLC25A46(-/-) cells, which display defects in mitochondrial fission and hyperfused mitochondria. The optogenetic MLCs system thus provides a platform for studying mitochondrial fission and treating mitochondrial diseases.

Automated summary

Researchers have developed a method to induce mitochondrial fission with spatiotemporal accuracy by optogenetically controlling mitochondria-lysosome contacts (MLCs). The optogenetic MLCs system provides a platform for studying mitochondrial fission and treating mitochondrial diseases.