The role of the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum contact sites in the development of the immune responses

Mitochondrion (green) is juxtaposed with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (orange) forming an area of contact stabilized by molecular tethers, the nature of which determine the MERCs function. Matrix, mitochondrial matrix; IMM, inner mitochondrial membrane; MIS, mitochondrial intermembrane space; OMM, outer mitochondrial membrane; MCU, mitochondrial calcium uniporter; VDAC, voltage-dependent anion channel; Grp75, 75？kDa glucose-regulated protein; IP3R, inositol 1,4,5 three phosphate receptor; VAPB, vesicle-associated membrane protein-associated protein B; PTPIP51, protein tyrosine phosphatase-interacting protein 51; ERMES, ER-mitochondria encounter structure complex; MFN1 and 2, mitofusin 1 and 2; INF2, inverted formin 2; FIS1, Mitochondrial fission 1; Bap31, B-cell receptor-associated protein 31; MAVS, Mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein; NLRP3, NOD-like receptors P3; TXNIP, thioredoxin-interacting protein; ASC, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD; ERp44, Endoplasmic reticulum resident protein and ERO1α, oxidoreductin 1 α