Golgi-derived vesicles containing PI(3,4)P(2) drive mitochondrial fusion.

Golgi-derived vesicles containing PI(3,4)P2 are essential for mitochondrial fusion, with loss of PI3K-C2α and PI3K-C2β causing mitochondrial fragmentation in mice.

• Why it matters: Understanding how interorganelle contacts regulate mitochondrial fusion is crucial for insights into cell fate and organ health, especially since mitochondrial dynamics are linked to disease states like heart failure.
• What they did: The study identified Golgi-derived vesicles enriched in PI(3,4)P2 that are recruited to ER- and mitofusin-marked fusion sites; loss of PI3K-C2α and PI3K-C2β, which produce PI(3,4)P2, impairs fusion.
• The result: Mice with cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of PI3K-C2α and PI3K-C2β exhibit mitochondrial fragmentation and heart failure, highlighting the role of these vesicles in mitochondrial membrane remodeling and homeostasis.