WHY MAMs

Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) are particular domains selectively enriched in critical signaling elements, which allow the crosstalk between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the mitochondria.

MAMs contain more than 1,000 proteins and play an essential role in maintaining biological functions and intracellular homeostasis, determining thus crucial aspects of cell fate.

The primary functions of the signal communication platform mainly rely on proteins that reside in these domains to perform its various cellular processes, such as Ca2+ homeostasis, lipid metabolism, mitochondrial physiology, autophagy and mitophagy, insulin signaling, ER stress, inflammation, tumor growth, and cell death. Consequently, an alteration in the signal in the ER–mitochondria and the structure of MAMs are associated with pathological conditions and diseases.