Not All Mitochondrial Cristae Are the Same: Hetero-Potential in the Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) is directly linked to ATP synthesis and as such its regulation is essential for cellular viability. Until now, it was thought that the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) was one homogenous surface, with uniform properties throughout. But a study published in a recent issue of The EMBO Journal describes heterogeneity in ΔΨm. The authors demonstrate that individual cristae within the same mitochondrion can have differing membrane potentials and could thereby potentially function as independent bioenergetic units. This might have consequences for local reactive oxygen species production or even the release of mitochondrial DNA. Further understanding this process could have important therapeutic consequences in disease states in which the regulation of ΔΨm becomes dysregulated.