In Situ Cryo-Et of ER-mitochondria Contact Sites

Molecular complexes at the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria contact sites (ERMCS) are not well understood in mammalian cells. The ERMCS are emerging as critical signaling platforms where unique biochemistry and physiology happens in cells. Furthermore, ERMCS have recently been shown to be dysregulated in neurons during early stages of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and fronto-temporal dementia FTD. The molecular tethers that bring these organelles together are largely unknown in mammalian cells but an ERMCS tethering protein (PDZD8) has recently been discovered.