Mitochondrial dysfunction participates in many chronic diseases. MFN2 controls mitochondrial homeostasis and loss of MFN2 function causes mitochondrial failure, leading to metabolic dysregulation and cellular stress. We address the underlying mechanisms of MFN2 inactivation, occurring in many diseases, including neuropathies such as the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Type 2A (CMT2A) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), one of the worldwide most common chronic liver diseases.
Mitofusins are key players in the control of mitochondrial dynamics, having an active role on the regulation of fusion between two of these organelles. These plastic properties are central in quality control processes and in bioenergetics and metabolism. Mitofusin 2 (MFN2) was implicated in several cellular processes such as mitophagy, apoptosis, lipid transfer and calcium homeostasis. Importantly, MFN2 point mutations cause the peripheral neuropathy Charcot-Marie-Tooth Type 2A (CMT2A). MFN2 is also linked to other neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson’s. Finally, a role in common aging diseases was also proposed, like in cardiac defects, diabetes, and in the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cancer, associated with metabolic dysregulation, endoplasmatic stress and mitochondrial dysfunction (Figure 1).
The main research question of this proposal is to identify disease-relevant properties of MFN2. MFN2 appears to be particularly important for the balance between fusion and mitophagy. However, the underlining mechanism is unclear. We postulate this will depend on the regulation of MFN2 and mitophagy by UbteX. Thus, UbteX could play a key role in integrated stress responses. In order to address this question, we will transfer our studies to CMT2A and NAFLD:
The disease-underlying function of MFN2 is ill defined. We identified novel stress-response functions of mitofusins, coordinated by a previously unsuspected ubiquitin form, UbteX. In the present studies, we will employ patient biopsies, mouse models and also human cell lines, to investigate the direct role of MFN2 and UbteX in neurodegeneration and liver dysfunction. They are based on our own work on ubiquitylation of mitofusins (1,2,5-8,11) and the characterization of molecular and metabolic changes in chronic liver disease (3,4,9,10), dependent on MFN2.
CECAD / Institute for Genetics
CMMC - PI - A 02
CMMC - PI - CAP 14
Mafalda.Escobar[at]uni-koeln.de
show more…+49 221 478 84257
+49 221 478 97295
CECAD / Institute for Genetics
Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 26
50931 Cologne
http://www.uni-koeln.de/math-nat-fak/genetik/groups/Escobar/index.html
Institute for General Pathology and Pathological Anatomy
CMMC - Co-PI - A 01
CMMC - Co-PI - A 02
margarete.odenthal[at]uk-koeln.de
show more…+49 221 478 6367
+49 221 478 6360
Institute for General Pathology and Pathological Anatomy
Kerpener Str. 62
50937 Cologne
https://pathologie.uk-koeln.de/forschung/translationale-molekularpathologie-ag-odenthal/
Dr. Tânia Simões,PostDoc
Ira Buntenbroich, PhD Student
Vincent Anton,PhD Student
Mariana Joaquim,Internship, Otto Bayer Fellow
Andria Drousioti,Bachelor Student