Margaret Neuspiel

TL;DR: A recent review as mentioned in this paper highlights the emerging evidence that provides molecular definition to mitochondria as a central platform in the execution of diverse cellular events, including cell-cycle control, development, antiviral responses and cell death.

TL;DR: The data are the first to identify MAPL, describe and characterize MDVs, and define a new intracellular transport route between mitochondria and peroxisomes, marking the first evidence for a direct relationship between these two functionally related organelles.

TL;DR: This work has created an activated mutant of Mfn2, which shows increased rates of nucleotide exchange and decreased rates of hydrolysis relative to wild type Mfn1, and provides the first evidence that Mfn 2 is a signaling GTPase regulating mitochondrial fusion and that the nucleotide-dependent activation of M fn2 concomitantly protects the organelle from permeability transition.

TL;DR: It is shown that the proapoptotic role of AIF can be uncoupled from its physiological function, and cell death induced by AIF is through its proAPoptotic activity once it is translocated to the nucleus, not due to the loss of Aif from the mitochondria.

TL;DR: Interestingly, expression of mitofusin 2 prevents cell death following DNA damage, oxidative stress, and K+ deprivation induced apoptosis, highlighting a signaling role for Mfn2 in the regulation of apoptosis that extends beyond its role in mitochondrial fusion.