Issues
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Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: Confocal image highlighting mitochondria (magenta) and DNA (cyan) in glioblastoma cells. As expected, nuclei are extensively labelled by the DNA staining. However, DNA staining also reveals distinct nucleoids containing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) that are located within the mitochondria. Visualisation of mtDNA can provide insights into the relationship between mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial quality control, such as in the case of Fis1-regulated clearance of damaged mtDNA after radiation exposure. See article by Y. Buckley et al. (jcs263459).
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Special Issue: Cell Biology of Mitochondria
EDITORIAL
CELL SCIENTISTS TO WATCH
PERSPECTIVE
A lipid in transit – the journey of cholesterol into the heart of mitochondrial research
Summary: We propose that phospholipid transfer at mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) co-transports cholesterol into and out of mitochondria. This process is stabilized by high binding energy, challenging protein-centric models of mitochondria cholesterol trafficking in non-sterodoigenic tissues.
CELL SCIENCE AT A GLANCE
Mitochondria–membranous organelle contacts at a glance
Summary: We provide an overview of contacts between mitochondria and other membranous organelles, describing the interorganelle tethers involved and the factors that regulate the composition and functions of such contacts.
Quality control of un-imported mitochondrial proteins at a glance
Summary: Mitochondrial proteins are mistargeted to various cellular compartments upon mitochondrial dysfunction. We review the fate of these mistargeted proteins and how quality control mechanisms mitigate their accumulation to maintain proteostasis.
OPINION
Mitochondria – the CEO of the cell
Summary: In light of research advances recognizing the roles mitochondria play in directing cellular processes and behaviors, we propose reframing mitochondria as the chief executive organelle of the cell.
REVIEWS
The role of mitochondrial mRNA translation in cellular communication
Summary: A discussion of how the regulation of the synthesis of mitochondrial proteins is key to the adaptation of cellular function to changing metabolic needs and to trigger stress responses.
Origin and evolution of mitochondrial inner membrane composition
Summary: An examination of the morphological similarities between prokaryotic intracytoplasmic membranes and mitochondrial inner membranes, and whether cristae evolution has driven specialization of the mitochondrial lipidome.
Mitochondrial fission – changing perspectives for future progress
Summary: Mitochondrial fission occurs in multiple contexts, mediating a variety of possible responses. This Review discusses how individual aspects of mitochondrial fission might be integrated to give a more holistic understanding.
SHORT REPORTS
Approaches to reduce succinate accumulation by restoration of succinate dehydrogenase activity in cultured adrenal cells
Summary: Tumors can be caused by loss of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), resulting in oncogenic succinate accumulation. This imbalance can be reversed by restoring the missing SDH subunit, but not by riboflavin supplementation to boost SDH catalytic activity.
Spatial regulation of mitochondrial membrane potential by α5β1 integrin engagement in collective cell migration
Summary: Mitochondrial membrane potential is spatially regulated in collectively migrating tissue by integrin adhesion and signaling in leader row cells.
NHR-85 modulates mitochondrial and lipid homeostasis to protect against α-synuclein aggregation in C. elegans
Summary: The Caenorhabditis elegans nuclear hormone receptor NHR-85, a putative orthologue of human PPARδ, is an essential regulator of mitochondrial energy metabolism and protects against α-synuclein aggregation.
Integrated proteome and lipidome analyses place OCIAD1 at the mitochondria–peroxisome intersection balancing lipid metabolism
Summary: Lipidomics and proteomics of mitochondrial fractions and whole cells lacking the membrane protein OCIAD1 suggest a role as a dually localized protein balancing mitochondrial and peroxisomal lipid metabolism.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Snapshots of mitochondrial fission imaged by cryo-scanning transmission electron tomography
Summary: Imaging the cytosol in three dimensions greatly aids in understanding cellular processes. We used cryo-scanning transmission electron tomography to study mitochondrial fission in the absence of mitochondrial fusion factor.
Pyruvate plus uridine augments mitochondrial respiration and prevents cardiac hypertrophy in zebrafish and H9c2 cells
Summary: Supplementation of pyruvate plus uridine prevents PE-induced cardiac hypertrophy in H9c2 cells and zebrafish embryos.
Drosophila Clu ribonucleoprotein particle dynamics rely on the availability of functional Clu and translating ribosomes
Summary: The dynamics of Clu ribonucleoprotein particles are governed by its functional protein level and translating ribosomes, giving insight into how these unique particles regulate mitochondrial biology in Drosophila.
Definition of the human mitochondrial TOM interactome reveals TRABD as a new interacting protein
Summary: We define a TOM complex interactome, revealing diverse interaction partners that include the new interactors MAPL, ATAD1 and TRABD. We show that TRABD is likely involved in carrier protein translocation.
The Mia40 substrate Mix17 exposes its N-terminus to the cytosolic side of the mitochondrial outer membrane
Summary: This study sheds new light on the submitochondrial location and the biogenesis of the highly conserved protein Mix17 as a first step to elucidate the function of Mix17 and its orthologs.
ER–mitochondria encounter structure connections determine drug sensitivity and virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans
Summary: This study demonstrates that ERMES deletion in Cryptococcus neoformans disrupts mitochondrial function, enhances drug sensitivity and diminishes virulence in C. elegans, emphasizing ERMES as a potential antifungal target.
Miro1 expression alters global gene expression, ERK1/2 phosphorylation, oxidation and cell cycle progression
Summary: Deletion of Miro1, which supports microtubule-based mitochondrial trafficking, in MEFs leads to hyper-phosphorylated ERK1/2, reduces cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, and alters global gene expression.
Mitophagy is induced in human engineered heart tissue after simulated ischemia and reperfusion
Summary: Mitochondrial dysfunction and lysosomal degradation of mitochondria (mitophagy) is induced after ischemia and reperfusion simulation in human engineered heart tissue, as shown with an endogenous pH-sensitive mitophagy reporter.
Regulation of mitochondrial cristae organization by Myo19, Miro1 and Miro2, and metaxin 3
Summary: Myo19 and Miro1/2 regulate mitochondrial cristae organization via ER–mitochondrial membrane contact mediated lipid transfer, but not via the interaction with the intermembrane bridging complex component Mtx3.
Mitochondria–plasma membrane contact sites regulate the ER–mitochondria encounter structure
Summary: Mitochondria–plasma membrane contact sites regulate the distribution and dynamics of mitochondria–ER membrane contact sites by controlling the positioning of the mitochondrial network.
Fis1 regulates mitochondrial morphology, bioenergetics and removal of mitochondrial DNA damage in irradiated glioblastoma cells
Summary: Fis1, a mitochondrial fission protein, modulates bioenergetics and selective removal of mtDNA damage in response to radiation. Interestingly, Fis1 depletion alone blunts electron transport chain activity.
Activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response regulates the dynamic formation of stress granules
Summary: Following mitochondrial stress, the mitochondria unfolded protein response induces the transient assembly of stress granules which results in protection of cells from further damage.
TOOLS AND RESOURCES
A dual-purification system to isolate mitochondrial subpopulations
Summary: A dual-purification scheme is used to isolate subpopulations of mitochondria based on their juxtaposition to various membrane-bound organelles. Some of these subpopulations have mitochondrial proteomes that are significantly different from an average proteome.
FIRST PERSON
Special Issue – Cell Biology of Mitochondria

Our special issue on ‘Cell Biology of Mitochondria’ is now complete. Explore this issue and read the Editorial from our Guest Editors Ana J. García-Sáez and Heidi McBride.
Save the date – Imaging Cell Dynamics

We are delighted to announce that we will be hosting a 2026 Imaging Cell Dynamics meeting. This meeting will provide a unique opportunity to bring together experts working at the interface between cell biology and imaging. Save the date for 11-14 May 2026 and register for more information.
Mitochondria–membranous organelle contacts at a glance

Antigoni Diokmetzidou and Luca Scorrano provide an overview of contacts between mitochondria and other membranous organelles, describing the interorganelle tethers involved and the factors that regulate the composition and functions of such contacts.
JCS-FocalPlane Training Grants

Early-career researchers - working in an area covered by JCS - who would like to attend a microscopy training course, please apply. Deadline dates for 2025 applications: 6 June 2025 (decision by week commencing 28 July 2025) and 5 September 2025 (decision by week commencing 20 October 2025).
JCS fast-track option
Have a paper that has been reviewed elsewhere? JCS is pleased to consider such manuscripts for fast-tracked decision making. Send us your manuscript together with the full set of reviews and decision letters, and we will make an initial decision within one week.