Stomatin-like protein 2 binds cardiolipin and regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and function

Mol Cell Biol. 2011 Sep;31(18):3845-56. doi: 10.1128/MCB.05393-11. Epub 2011 Jul 11.

Abstract

Stomatin-like protein 2 (SLP-2) is a widely expressed mitochondrial inner membrane protein of unknown function. Here we show that human SLP-2 interacts with prohibitin-1 and -2 and binds to the mitochondrial membrane phospholipid cardiolipin. Upregulation of SLP-2 expression increases cardiolipin content and the formation of metabolically active mitochondrial membranes and induces mitochondrial biogenesis. In human T lymphocytes, these events correlate with increased complex I and II activities, increased intracellular ATP stores, and increased resistance to apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway, ultimately enhancing cellular responses. We propose that the function of SLP-2 is to recruit prohibitins to cardiolipin to form cardiolipin-enriched microdomains in which electron transport complexes are optimally assembled. Likely through the prohibitin functional interactome, SLP-2 then regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / biosynthesis
  • Apoptosis
  • Blood Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Blood Proteins / genetics
  • Blood Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cardiolipins / metabolism*
  • Electron Transport
  • Humans
  • Jurkat Cells
  • Membrane Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Membranes / metabolism
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Prohibitins
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism

Substances

  • Blood Proteins
  • Cardiolipins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Prohibitins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Repressor Proteins
  • STOML2 protein, human
  • Adenosine Triphosphate