Stasimon/Tmem41b localizes to mitochondria-associated ER membranes and is essential for mouse embryonic development

M Van Alstyne, F Lotti, A Dal Mas… - Biochemical and …, 2018 - Elsevier
M Van Alstyne, F Lotti, A Dal Mas, E Area-Gomez, L Pellizzoni
Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 2018Elsevier
Stasimon (also known as Tmem41b) is an evolutionarily conserved transmembrane protein
first identified for its contribution to motor system dysfunction in animal models of the
childhood neurodegenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Stasimon was shown
to be required for normal neurotransmission in the motor circuit of Drosophila larvae and
proper development of motor axons in zebrafish embryos as well as to suppress analogous
neuronal phenotypes in SMA models of these organisms. However, the subcellular …
Abstract
Stasimon (also known as Tmem41b) is an evolutionarily conserved transmembrane protein first identified for its contribution to motor system dysfunction in animal models of the childhood neurodegenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Stasimon was shown to be required for normal neurotransmission in the motor circuit of Drosophila larvae and proper development of motor axons in zebrafish embryos as well as to suppress analogous neuronal phenotypes in SMA models of these organisms. However, the subcellular localization and molecular functions of Stasimon are poorly understood. Here, we combined immunoprecipitation with mass spectrometry to characterize the Stasimon interactome in mammalian cells, which reveals association with components of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), mitochondria, and the COPI vesicle trafficking machinery. Expanding on the interaction results, we used subcellular fractionation studies and super-resolution microscopy to identify Stasimon as an ER-resident protein that localizes at mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAM), functionally specialized contact sites between ER and mitochondria membranes. Lastly, through characterization of novel knockout mice, we show that Stasimon is an essential gene for mouse embryonic development. Together, these findings identify Stasimon as a novel transmembrane protein component of the MAM with an essential requirement for mammalian development.
Elsevier