CLIC4 localizes to mitochondrial-associated membranes and mediates cardioprotection

Mitochondrial-associated membranes (MAMs) are known to modulate organellar and cellular functions and can subsequently affect pathophysiology including myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Thus, identifying molecular targets in MAMs that regulate the outcome of IR injury will hold a key to efficient therapeutics. Here, we found chloride intracellular channel protein (CLIC4) presence in MAMs of cardiomyocytes and demonstrate its role in modulating ER and mitochondrial calcium homeostasis under physiological and pathological conditions. In a murine model, loss of CLIC4 increased myocardial infarction and substantially reduced cardiac function after IR injury. CLIC4 null cardiomyocytes showed increased apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction upon hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in comparison to wild-type cardiomyocytes. Overall, our results indicate that MAM-CLIC4 is a key mediator of cellular response to IR injury and therefore may have a potential implication on other pathophysiological processes.

Automated summary

Mitochondrial-associated membranes (MAMs) play a crucial role in modulating cellular response to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. The chloride intracellular channel protein (CLIC4), found in MAMs of cardiomyocytes, is involved in regulating ER and mitochondrial calcium homeostasis. Loss of CLIC4 increases myocardial infarction and impairs cardiac function after IR injury. CLIC4 deficiency leads to increased apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes.