TERT interacts with TFAM to activate mitochondrial fragmentation and auto/mitophagy
In the authors' words
Previous studies have demonstrated that Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) is localized inside mitochondria, where it associates with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), thereby influencing replication and transcription. Using a combination of quantitative fluorescence microscopy and biochemistry, we demonstrate that TERT binds indirectly to mtDNA through the interaction with mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) to induce mitochondrial fragmentation. These findings reveal a novel mitochondrial interaction involving TERT and highlight a role for TERT and TFAM in the regulation of auto/mitophagy. This interaction is an important factor for mitochondrial function and contributes to the remodelling of mitochondrial respiratory capacity.
Appeared: Wednesday, September 23. bioRxiv. Preprint, not yet peer-reviewed.