M.E.H. acknowledges the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), project number 413985647, for financial support. The authors thank Dr. Michael Kiebler, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, for his&#160;generous and extensive support. We are grateful to Walter Neupert for his scientific input, helpful discussions, and ongoing inspiration.&#160;J.F. thanks the Graduate School Life Science Munich (LSM) for support.

1. Buffers and stock solutions
<ol>
	<li>Make a 1 M 3-morpholinopropane-1-sulfonic acid (MOPS) solution in deionized water, pH 7.4. Store at 4 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Prepare 500 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in deionized water, pH 8.0. Store at room temperature.</li>
	<li>Prepare 2.4 M sorbitol in deionized water. Store at room temperature after autoclaving.</li>
	<li>Prepare 2.5 M sucrose in deionized water. Store at room temperature after autoclaving.</li>
	<li>Prepare 200 mM phenylmethylsulf...

Isolation of Mitochondrial Contact Sites

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Mitochondrial subfractionation is a complicated experiment with several highly complex steps. Therefore, we aimed to further improve and, to a certain degree, simplify our established method32. Here, the challenges were the requirement for complicated and highly specialized equipment, which are often individual constructions, and the enormous time and energy consumption. To this end, we tried to remove the pumps and individual constructions used for casting and harvesting the linear gradient and c...

Mitochondria perform a variety of different functions in eukaryotes, with the most well-known being the production of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. Other functions include the production of iron-sulfur clusters, lipid synthesis, and in higher eukaryotes, Ca2+ signaling, and the induction of apoptosis1,2,3,4. These functions are inseparably linked to their complex ultrastructure.
The mitochondrial ultrastructure was first described by electron microscopy5. It was shown that mitochondria are rather complex organelles consisting of two membranes: the mitochondrial outer membrane and the mitochondrial inner membrane. Thus, two aqueous compartments are formed by these membranes: the intermembrane space and the matrix. The mitochondrial inner membrane can be even further divided into different sections. The inner boundary membrane stays in close proximity to the outer membrane, and the cristae form invaginations. So-called crista junctions connect the inner boundary membrane and the cristae (Figure 1). Furthermore, electron micrographs of osmotically shrunken mitochondria reveal that sites exist at which the mitochondrial membranes are tightly connected6,7. These so-called contact sites are formed by protein complexes spanning the two membranes (Figure 1). It is thought that these interaction sites are essential for cell viability due to their importance for the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and inheritance, as well as the transfer of metabolites and signals between the cytosol and the matrix8.
The MICOS complex in the mitochondrial inner membrane is probably the best characterized and the most versatile contact site-forming complex. MICOS was described in yeast in 2011, and it consists of six subunits9,10,11: Mic60, Mic27, Mic26, Mic19, Mic12, and Mic10. These form a complex of approximately 1.5 MDa that localizes to the crista junctions9,10,11. The deletion of either core subunit, Mic10 or Mic60, leads to the absence of this complex9,11, meaning these two subunits are essential for the stability of MICOS. Interestingly, MICOS forms not only one but multiple contact sites with various mitochondrial outer membrane proteins and complexes: the TOM complex11,12, the TOB/SAM complex9,12,13,14,15,16, the Fzo1-Ugo1 complex9, Por110, OM4510, and Miro17. This strongly indicates that the MICOS complex is involved in various mitochondrial processes, such as protein import, phospholipid metabolism, and the generation of the mitochondrial ultrastructure18. The latter function is probably the major function of&#160;MICOS, as the absence of the MICOS complex induced through the deletion of MIC10&#160;or MIC60&#160;leads to an abnormal mitochondrial ultrastructure that virtually completely lacks regular cristae. Instead, internal membrane vesicles without connection to the inner boundary membrane accumulate19, 20. Importantly, MICOS is conserved in form and function from yeast to&#160;human21. The association of mutations in MICOS subunits with severe human diseases also emphasizes its importance for higher eukaryotes22,23. Although MICOS is highly versatile, additional contact sites must exist (based on our unpublished observations). Indeed, several other contact sites have been identified, for instance, the mitochondrial fusion machineries Mgm1-Ugo1/Fzo124,25,26&#160;or Mdm31-Por1, which is involved in the biosynthesis of the mitochondrial-specific phospholipid cardiolipin27. Recently, we improved the method that led us to the identification of MICOS to identify Cqd1 as part of a novel contact site formed with the outer membrane complex Por1-Om1428. Interestingly, this contact site also seems to be involved in multiple processes such as mitochondrial membrane homeostasis, phospholipid metabolism, and the distribution of coenzyme Q28,29.
Here, we used a variation of the previously described fractionation of mitochondria9,30,31,32,33. Osmotic treatment of mitochondria leads to the disruption of the mitochondrial outer membrane and to a shrinkage of the matrix space, leaving the two membranes only in close proximity at contact sites. This allows for the generation of vesicles that consist exclusively of mitochondrial outer membrane or mitochondrial inner membrane or at contain contact sites of both membranes through mild sonication. Due to the mitochondrial inner membrane possessing a much higher protein-to-lipid ratio, mitochondrial inner membrane vesicles exhibit a higher density compared to mitochondrial outer membrane vesicles. The difference in density can be used to separate the membrane vesicles through sucrose buoyant density gradient centrifugation. Thus, the mitochondrial outer membrane vesicles accumulate at low sucrose concentrations, while the mitochondrial inner membrane vesicles are enriched at high sucrose concentrations. The vesicles containing contact sites concentrate at intermediate sucrose concentrations (Figure 2). The following protocol describes this improved method, which requires less specialized equipment, time, and energy compared to our previously established one32, in detail and provides a useful tool for the identification of possible contact site proteins.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>13.2 mL, Open-Top Thinwall Ultra-Clear Tube, 14 x 89mm</td>
			<td>Beckman Instruments, Germany</td>
			<td>344059</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50 mL, Open-Top Thickwall Polycarbonate Open-Top Tube, 29 x 104mm</td>
			<td>Beckman Instruments, Germany</td>
			<td>363647</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>A-25.50 Fixed-Angle Rotor- Aluminum, 8 x 50 mL, 25,000 rpm, 75,600 x g</td>
			<td>Beckman Instruments, Germany</td>
			<td>363055</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Abbe refractometer</td>
			<td>Zeiss, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>discontinued, 
			any pipet controller will suffice</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>accu-jet pro Pipet Controller</td>
			<td>Brandtech, USA</td>
			<td>BR26320</td>
			<td>discontinued, 
			any pipet controller will suffice</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Beaker 1000 mL</td>
			<td>DWK Life Science, Germany</td>
			<td>C118.1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Branson&#160; Digital Sonifier W-250 D</td>
			<td>Branson Ultrasonics, USA</td>
			<td>FIS15-338-125</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Branson Ultrasonic 3mm TAPERED MICROTIP</td>
			<td>Branson Ultrasonics, USA</td>
			<td>101-148-062</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Branson Ultrasonics 200- and 400-Watt Sonifiers: Rosette Cooling Cell</td>
			<td>Branson Ultrasonics, USA</td>
			<td>15-338-70</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Centrifuge Avanti JXN-26</td>
			<td>Beckman Instruments, Germany</td>
			<td>B37912</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Centrifuge Optima XPN-100 ultra</td>
			<td>Beckman Instruments, Germany</td>
			<td>8043-30-0031</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>cOmplete Proteaseinhibtor-Cocktail</td>
			<td>Roche, Switzerland</td>
			<td>11697498001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>D-Sorbit</td>
			<td>Roth, Germany</td>
			<td>6213</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EDTA (Ethylendiamin-tetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate)</td>
			<td>Roth, Germany</td>
			<td>8043</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Erlenmeyer flask, 100 mL</td>
			<td>Roth, Germany</td>
			<td>X747.1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>graduated pipette, Kl. B, 25:0, 0.1</td>
			<td>Hirschmann, Germany</td>
			<td>1180170</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>graduated pipette, Kl. B, 5:0, 0.05</td>
			<td>Hirschmann, Germany</td>
			<td>1180153</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ice bath</td>
			<td>neoLab, Germany</td>
			<td>&#160;S12651</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Magnetic stirrer RCT basic</td>
			<td>IKA-Werke GmbH, Germany</td>
			<td>Z645060GB-1EA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MOPS (3-(N-Morpholino)propanesulphonic acid)</td>
			<td>Gerbu, Germany</td>
			<td>1081</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MyPipetman Select P1000</td>
			<td>Gilson, USA</td>
			<td>FP10006S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MyPipetman Select P20</td>
			<td>Gilson, USA</td>
			<td>FP10003S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MyPipetman Select P200</td>
			<td>Gilson, USA</td>
			<td>FP10005S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Omnifix 1 mL</td>
			<td>Braun, Germany</td>
			<td>4022495251879</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF)</td>
			<td>Serva, Germany</td>
			<td>32395.03</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>STERICAN cannula 21 Gx4 4/5 0.8x120 mm</td>
			<td>Braun, Germany</td>
			<td>4022495052414</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>stirring bar, 15 mm</td>
			<td>VWR, USA</td>
			<td>442-0366</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sucrose</td>
			<td>Merck, Germany</td>
			<td>S8501</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SW 41 Ti Swinging-Bucket Rotor</td>
			<td>Beckman Instruments, Germany</td>
			<td>331362</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Test tubes</td>
			<td>Eppendorf, Germany</td>
			<td>3810X</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue grinders, Potter-Elvehjem type, 2 mL glass vessel</td>
			<td>VWR, USA</td>
			<td>432-0200</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue grinders, Potter-Elvehjem type, 2 mL plunger with serrated tip</td>
			<td>VWR, USA</td>
			<td>432-0212</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich, Germany</td>
			<td>33731</td>
			<td>discontinued, 
			any TCA will suffice (CAS: 73-03-9)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TRIS</td>
			<td>Roth, Germany</td>
			<td>4855</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

an improved method to isolate mitochondrial contact sites

Mitochondria are present in virtually all eukaryotic cells and perform essential functions that go far beyond energy production, for instance, the synthesis of iron-sulfur clusters, lipids, or proteins, Ca2+ buffering, and the induction of apoptosis. Likewise, mitochondrial dysfunction results in severe human diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegeneration. In order to perform these functions, mitochondria have to communicate with the rest of the cell across their envelope, which consists of two membranes. Therefore, these two membranes have to interact constantly. Proteinaceous contact sites between the mitochondrial inner and outer membranes are essential in this respect. So far, several contact sites have been identified. In the method described here, Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria are used to isolate contact sites and, thus, identify candidates that qualify for contact site proteins. We used this method to identify the mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (MICOS) complex, one of the major contact site-forming complexes in the mitochondrial inner membrane, which is conserved from yeast to humans. Recently, we further improved this method to identify a novel contact site consisting of Cqd1 and the Por1-Om14 complex.

Author Spotlight: Unveiling Mitochondrial Contact Sites and Architectural Insights 

An Improved Method to Isolate Mitochondrial Contact Sites

We aim to understand the molecular function of mitochondrial contact sites, allowing the communication between the two mitochondrial membranes. This actually is a prerequisite to grasp the function for mitochondrial biogenesis and thus, cell viability. We discovered a new contact site between the mitochondrial inner and outer membrane created by Cqd1 and Om14-Por1.Our data suggests that this site might assist in lipid import like phosphatidic acid. Based on the identification of the MICOS complex, we contributed to get a deeper understanding of how mitochondrial membrane architecture is generated. This allowed us to develop a working model that explains how the two forms of mitochondrial cristae, lamellar and tubular cristae are formed.Our research was done in yeast in the past. However, we are convinced that the formation of correct mitochondrial architecture is important for higher eukaryotes too. So the next step in our research is analyzing the role of mitochondrial architecture elements in more complex models such as primary neurons.

It is relatively easy to separate mitochondrial inner and outer membranes. However, the generation and separation of contact site-containing vesicles are much more difficult. In our opinion, two steps are critical and essential: the sonication conditions and the gradient used.
Usually, linear gradients are thought to have a better resolution compared to step gradients. However, their reproducible production is tedious and requires special equipment. Therefore, we established a method to genera...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Unveiling Mitochondrial Contact Sites and Architectural Insights at JoVE.com

Mitochondrial contact sites are protein complexes that interact with mitochondrial inner and outer membrane proteins. These sites are essential for the communication between the mitochondrial membranes and, thus, between the cytosol and the mitochondrial matrix. Here, we describe a method to identify candidates qualifying for this specific class of proteins.

Mitochondria are present in virtually all eukaryotic cells and perform essential functions that go far beyond energy production, for instance, the ...

an-improved-method-to-isolate-mitochondrial-contact-sites

Research

JoVE Journal

Biochemistry

Generating Submitochondrial Vesicles from Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mitochondria to Isolate Mitochondrial Contact Sites

Generating Submitochondrial Vesicles from  Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mitochondria to Isolate Mitochondrial Contact Sites  

To begin, take 10 milligrams of freshly-isolated crude yeast mitochondria and re-suspend them in 1.6 milliliters of SM buffer at four degrees celsius by pipetting. Then, transfer the mitochondrial suspension to a pre-cooled 100-milliliter Erlenmeyer flask. Slowly, add 16 milliliters of the swelling buffer, using a 20-milliliter glass pipette while applying constant mild stirring on ice.Incubate the samples under constant mild stirring for 30 minutes on ice. Then, slowly add five milliliters of 2.5-molar sucrose solution using a five-milliliter glass pipette, allowing the inner membrane to shrink. Incubate the samples under mild stirring for 15 minutes on ice.To generate sub-mitochondrial membrane vesicles, transfer the mitochondrial suspension to a pre-cool rosette cell, and sonicate the suspension at 10%amplitude for 30 seconds while cooling the rosette cell in an ice bath. Rest the suspension for 30 seconds in an ice bath.

Separation and Analysis of Submitochondrial Vesicles to Identify Mitochondrial Contact Site Proteins

To begin, take the prepared yeast sub-mitochondrial vesicles and centrifuge the generated vesicles and remaining intact mitochondria at 20, 000 G for 20 minutes at four degrees Celsius. The intact mitochondria formed the pellet while the vesicles stay in the supernatant. Next, transfer the supernatant to fresh ultra centrifugation tubes.Load a cushion of 0.3 milliliters of 2.5 molar sucrose solution at the bottom of the tube using a one milliliter syringe equipped with a cannula, and centrifuge at 118, 000 G for 100 minutes at four degrees Celsius. After centrifugation, the vesicles will appear as a disc on the top of the sucrose cushion. Discard approximately 90%of the supernatant.To harvest the concentrated vesicles, resuspend them in the remaining buffer, including the 2.5 molar sucrose by pipetting. Transfer the suspension to an ice cold Dounce homogenizer and homogenize the suspension using a polytetrafluoroethylene potter with at least 10 strokes. Next, prepare an 11 milliliter step gradient with each layer containing 2.2 milliliters of sucrose solution.Calculate the sucrose concentration using this formula. Add the highest sucrose concentration to the centrifugation tube and place it at minus 20 degrees Celsius until the layer is completely frozen. Measure the sucrose concentration of the samples using a refractometer.If a refractometer is unavailable, assume the sucrose concentration is 2 molar. To adjust the sucrose concentration to 0.6 molars, add the appropriate MOPS, E-D-T-A, P-M-S-F, and protease inhibitor cocktail at pH 7.4. Carefully load the samples on the sucrose gradient to avoid the disturbance of the gradient.Centrifuge the vesicles at 200, 000 G and four degree Celsius for 12 hours. If possible, set slow acceleration and deceleration to avoid disruption of the gradient. Then harvest the gradient from top to bottom in 700 microliters fractions, using a one milliliter pipette.Resulting in 17 fractions, which provides a sufficient resolution. Next, perform two sequentially executed trichloroacetic acid precipitations by adding 200 microliters of 72%trichloroacetic acid to the individual fractions and mixing until the solution is homogeneous. Incubate the fractions for 30 minutes on ice and pellet the precipitated proteins by centrifuging at 20, 000 G and four degrees Celsius for 20 minutes.Discard the supernatant. Add 500 microliters of 28%trichloroacetic acid solution. Mix well and repeat the centrifugation step.Finally, analyze the fractions by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting. The importance of mild sonication is presented here. The mitochondrial outer membrane marker Tom40 was enriched in the early low density fractions and was virtually absent in the later ones.The mitochondrial inner membrane marker Tim17 was concentrated in high density fractions. In contrast, the contact site protein Mic60 accumulated infractions of intermediate sucrose concentration, indicating the successful generation and subsequent separation of the various membrane vesicles. In contrast, with harsher sonication conditions, the mitochondrial outer membrane marker Tom40 could be detected in lower fractions of the gradient.Additionally, there was a significant amount of Tim17 infractions of intermediate density.

988 Views.  Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich.  Mitochondrial contact sites are protein complexes that interact with mitochondrial inner and outer membrane proteins. These sites are essential for the communication between the mitochondrial membranes and, thus, between the cytosol and the mitochondrial matrix. Here, we describe a method to identify candidates qualifying for this specific class of proteins.

Isolation of Mitochondrial Contact Sites

Summary