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. 2024 Feb 2;15:988. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-45283-2

Fig. 8. Proposed import rescue mechanism via TNT-dependent intercellular mitochondrial transfer.

Fig. 8

Cells subjected to import perturbations (1) induce the formation of TNTs composed of microtubules and actin filaments (2). TNTs mediate the transfer of healthy mitochondria from neighbouring cells into cells with challenged mitochondria (3), whilst also allowing clearance of damaged mitochondria to neighbouring healthy cells (4). The transfer and integration of healthy mitochondria with normal import function, and disposal of mitochondria with defective import, rescue the overall cellular mitochondrial import function (5). This rescue effect is likely enhanced by additional stress response mechanisms (6). Created using BioRender. DHFR dihydrofolate reductase, MB20 MitoBloCK-20, MTX methotrexate, TIM23 translocase of the inner mitochondrial membrane 23, TNT tunnelling nanotube.