# Investigating the molecular mechanism of mitochondrial tethering

> **NIH NIH R01** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $294,982

## Abstract

Project Summary
We are interested in the dynamic interplay between the intracellular distribution of mitochondria
and cellular function. Mitochondria are important not only for cellular energy production but also
play critical roles in cell cycle progression, differentiation, immune responses, lipid and calcium
homeostasis, and apoptotic cell death. These diverse roles are intimately connected to
mitochondrial shape and cellular position. Thus, it is not surprising aberrant mitochondrial
architecture has been implicated in an ever-increasing number of diseases. Mitochondrial shape
and position depend on the integrated and regulated activities of mitochondrial dynamics,
motility, and tethering. A key question is how these activities are coordinated to drive the
context-specific changes in the shape and position of mitochondria required to meet cellular
needs. To begin to address this question, an understanding of the molecular basis of these
mitochondrial activities is essential. While mitochondrial tethering plays a critical role in
mitochondrial position and function in cells from yeast to neurons, it is the least understood of
the activities that shape and position mitochondria. In the aims of this grant, we will address this
deficit by exploiting the strengths of the facile yeast system and our expertise in cell biological
and biochemical approaches to elucidate the molecular basis, mechanism, and regulation of two
tether complexes that function in the distribution and inheritance of mitochondria. Understanding
fundamental mechanisms used by cells to position mitochondria will provide insight into how
regulated mitochondrial tethering can be harnessed to influence mitochondrial function and
overall cellular homeostasis and fitness.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9878876
- **Project number:** 5R01GM120303-04
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Laura L Lackner
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $294,982
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-04-01 → 2022-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9878876

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9878876, Investigating the molecular mechanism of mitochondrial tethering (5R01GM120303-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9878876. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*