OPA1 and mitochondrial solute carriers in bioenergetic metabolism.

The mitochondrial fusion protein optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) is required to maintain cristae structure and for ATP synthase assembly. Our recent work demonstrates that OPA1 dynamically regulates these processes by sensing changes in nutrient availability through mitochondrial solute carriers and adjusting the metabolic output of mitochondria accordingly. This is a critical survival process as its inhibition leads to cell death.