Flexible protein gate controls access to mitochondrial folds, simulations suggest

Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, mitochondria in our cells churn out energy from the food we eat, which keeps our bodies functioning. Much of this work happens along cristae—deep pockets in the mitochondria's inner membrane. To work properly, cristae must maintain thei

Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, mitochondria in our cells churn out energy from the food we eat, which keeps our bodies functioning. Much of this work happens along cristae—deep pockets in the mitochondria's inner membrane. To work properly, cristae must maintain their shape while carefully controlling which molecules enter and exit.

At their narrow entrances sits a protein complex called MICOS, which helps stabilize these pockets and acts as a molecular filter. When this architecture is disrupted, the consequences can include neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. But exactly how MICOS works has remained unclear.