MFN2 coordinates mitochondria motility with α-tubulin acetylation and this regulation is disrupted in CMT2A

Summary: Mitofusin-2 (MFN2), a large GTPase residing in the mitochondrial outer membrane and mutated in Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 disease (CMT2A), is a regulator of mitochondrial fusion and tethering with the ER. The role of MFN2 in mitochondrial transport has however remained elusive. Like MFN2, acetylated microtubules play key roles in mitochondria dynamics. Nevertheless, it is unknown if the α-tubulin acetylation cycle functionally interacts with MFN2. Here, we show that mitochondrial contacts with microtubules are sites of α-tubulin acetylation, which occurs through MFN2-mediated recruitment of α-tubulin acetyltransferase 1 (ATAT1). This activity is critical for MFN2-dependent regulation of mitochondria transport, and axonal degeneration caused by CMT2A MFN2 associated R94W and T105M mutations may depend on the inability to release ATAT1 at sites of mitochondrial contacts with microtubules. Our findings reveal a function for mitochondria in α-tubulin acetylation and suggest that disruption of this activity plays a role in the onset of MFN2-dependent CMT2A.