AI Summary

Scientists model how the MICOS protein complex regulates the shape of mitochondrial cristae and controls molecular traffic through their narrow openings. The simulations show that MICOS acts as a flexible gate, stabilizing the deep pockets of the inner membrane while filtering which molecules can enter or leave. Disruption of this architecture can lead to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, underscoring the complex’s importance for cellular energy production. The study clarifies the mechanism by which MICOS maintains cristae integrity and suggests that targeting this gate could be a therapeutic strategy.

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