C3orf33/MISO regulates mitochondrial homeostasis via mitophagy

Mitochondria maintain homeostasis through dynamic remodeling and stress-responsive pathways, including the formation of specialized subdomains. Peripheral mitochondrial fission generates small MTFP1-enriched mitochondria (SMEM), which encapsulate damaged mtDNA and facilitate its macroautophagic/autophagic degradation. However, the underlying mechanism governing SMEM biogenesis remains unclear. In our recent study, we identified C3orf33/CG30159/MISO as a conserved regulator of mitochondrial dynamics and stress-induced subdomain formation in Drosophila and mammalian cells. C3orf33/MISO is an integral inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) protein that assembles into discrete subdomains, which we confirm as small MTFP1-enriched mitochondria (SMEM). Mechanistically, C3orf33/MISO promotes mitochondrial fission by recruiting MTFP1 to activate the FIS1-DNM1L pathway while suppressing fusion via OPA1 exclusion. Under basal conditions, MISO is rapidly turned over and contributes to mitochondrial morphology maintenance. Upon specific IMM stresses (e.g. mtDNA damage, OXPHOS dysfunction, cristae disruption), C3orf33/MISO is stabilized, thereby initiating SMEM assembly. These SMEM compartments function as stress-responsive hubs that spatially coordinate IMM reorganization and target damaged mtDNA to the periphery for lysosome-mediated clearance via mitophagy. Together, we address these fundamental gaps by identifying C3orf33/MISO as the key protein that controls SMEM formation to preserve mitochondrial homeostasis under stress.