Genetic ablation of Immt induces a lethal disruption of the MICOS complex

The mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (MICOS) is important for crista junction formation and for maintaining inner mitochondrial membrane architecture. A key component of the MICOS complex is MIC60, which has been well studied in yeast and cell culture models. However, only one recent study has demonstrated the embryonic lethality of losing Immt (the gene encoding MIC60) expression. Tamoxifen-inducible ROSA-CreERT2- mediated deletion of Immt in adult mice disrupted the MICOS complex, increased mitochondria size, altered cristae morphology, and was lethal within 12 d. Pathologically, these mice displayed defective intestinal muscle function (paralytic ileus) culminating in dehydration. We also identified bone marrow (BM) hypocellularity in Immt-deleted mice, although BM transplants from wild-type mice did not improve survival. Altogether, this inducible mouse model demonstrates the importance of MIC60 in vivo, in both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tissues, and provides a valuable resource for future mechanistic investigations into the MICOS complex.