Improving mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes integrity as converging therapeutic strategy for rare neurodegenerative diseases and cancer

Membrane contact sites harbor a distinct set of proteins with varying biological functions, thereby emerging as hubs for localized signaling nanodomains underlying adequate cell function. Here, we will focus on mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs), which serve as hotspots for Ca 2+ signaling, redox regulation, lipid exchange, mitochondrial quality and unfolded protein response pathway. A network of MAM-resident proteins contributes to the structural integrity and adequate function of MAMs. Beyond endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mitochondrial tethering proteins, MAMs contain several multi-protein complexes that mediate the transfer of or are influenced by Ca 2+ , reactive oxygen species and lipids. Particularly, IP 3 receptors, intracellular Ca 2+ -release channels, and Sigma-1 receptors (S1Rs), ligand-operated chaperones, serve as important platforms that recruit different accessory proteins and intersect with these local signaling processes. Furthermore, many of these proteins are directly implicated in pathophysiological conditions, where their dysregulation or mutation is not only causing diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration, but also rare genetic diseases, for example familial Parkinson's disease (PINK1, Parkin, DJ-1), familial Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (TDP43), Wolfram syndrome1/2 (WFS1 and CISD2), Harel-Yoon syndrome (ATAD3A). In this review, we will discuss the current state-of-the-art regarding the molecular components, protein platforms and signaling networks underlying MAM integrity and function in cell function and how their dysregulation impacts MAMs, thereby driving pathogenesis and/or impacting disease burden. We will highlight how these insights can generate novel, potentially therapeutically relevant, strategies to tackle disease outcomes by improving the integrity of MAMs and the signaling processes occurring at these membrane contact sites. • MAMs) serve as hotspots for Ca 2+ signaling, redox regulation, lipid exchange and mitochondrial quality control. • MAMs contain multi-protein complexes to facilitate these functions. • MAMs contain a rich network of proteins whose dysregulation or mutations are directly linked to human diseases. • Disrupted MAM integrity pathomechanism converges such distant disorders as rare neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. • Insights into pathophysiology of MAMs can generate novel strategies to tackle diseases by improving the integrity of MAMs.