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Optimal Dynamics for Quality Control in Spatially Distributed Mitochondrial Networks

Figure 2

Active transport model of mitochondrial spatial dynamics.

(A) We represent each mitochondrion as a circle with radius . (B) Each stationary mitochondrion can bind a cytoskeletal filament pointed in a random direction at rate . (C) A mitochondrion attached to a filament moves at constant velocity until it either unbinds at rate or encounters another mitochondrion or the edge of the cell. (D) In the presence of fusion and fission, this model produces mitochondrial networks with structures qualitatively similar to those observed in vivo. Autophagy of unfused mitochondria with poor health (orange) is critical for the establishment of functional mitochondrial networks, by allowing the replacement of dysfunctional mitochondria with healthy mitochondria that can still undergo fusion.

doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003108.g002