Mitochondria-associated membranes in the maintenance of cell homeostasis

Abstract Mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) have been observed for long both by microscopic and biochemical methods. The function of the endoplasmic reticulum domains in close contact to mitochondria remained elusive until the discovery of their central role in lipid synthesis. Later, their role in calcium transport to mitochondria and their connection to cell death processes were revealed. In recent years, investigations on MAM have focused on autophagy and mitophagy. Indeed, MAM might be involved in the initiation of autophagosome formation and in the identification of mitochondria alterations by the autophagy machinery. This overview presents the different processes that have been related to MAM formation and stability.