Mitofilin: Proteins and Enzymes

Mitochondria are the center of cellular energy production and essential metabolic reactions. As double membrane-bound organelles, mitochondria from different species, tissues, and metabolic states are highly polymorphic in nature, yet exhibit common structural features. The ultrastructural variations in mitochondrial architecture occur mainly due to the differences in the amount and shape of cristae. Abundant cristae are found in mitochondria from tissues where energy demand is high. Analysis of the human heart mitochondrial proteome shows that mitofilin is one of the most abundant mitochondrial proteins. It appears to play an important role in the maintenance of cristae morphology. Mitofilin was originally described as heart muscle protein (HMP) because of its high expression in the heart.