The lipid metabolism enzyme Ayr1 binds in a substrate-mimicry mechanism to the mitochondrial import (MIM) complex. Unlike typical MIM substrates that are inserted by the MIM complex into the mitochondrial outer membrane, Ayr1 remains bound to MIM to promote lipid droplet–mitochondria contacts and modulate lipid droplet homeostasis.
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References
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This is a summary of: Heinen, S. et al. Mitochondria contact lipid droplets through the mitochondrial import complex binding to lipid metabolism enzyme Ayr1. Nat. Cell Biol. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-026-01890-3 (2026).
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Lipid droplets meet mitochondria at the MIM protein insertase. Nat Cell Biol 28, 392–393 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-026-01901-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41556-026-01901-3
