Pearling drives mitochondrial DNA nucleoid distribution
Summary
The distribution of mitochondrial DNA-containing nucleoids is essential for mitochondrial function and genome inheritance; however, no known mechanisms can explain nucleoid segregation or their regular positioning. In this work, we found that mitochondria frequently undergo a reversible biophysical instability termed "pearling," transforming from a tubular into a regularly spaced beads morphology. Physiological pearling imposed a characteristic length scale and simultaneously mediated nucl
Content
# Pearling drives mitochondrial DNA nucleoid distribution
*Published: 2026 Apr 2*
The distribution of mitochondrial DNA-containing nucleoids is essential for
mitochondrial function and genome inheritance; however, no known mechanisms can
explain nucleoid segregation or their regular positioning. In this work, we
found that mitochondria frequently undergo a reversible biophysical instability
termed "pearling," transforming from a tubular into a regularly spaced beads
morphology. Physiological pearling imposed a characteristic length scale and
simultaneously mediated nucleoid disaggregation and established internucleoid
distancing with high precision. Pearling onset was triggered by calcium influx,
whereas the density of lamellar cristae invaginations modulated pearling
prevalence and preserved nucleoid spacing following recovery. The dysregulation
of mitochondrial calcium influx or inner membrane cristae integrity caused
aberrant nucleoid clustering. Our results identify pearling as a mechanism
governing nucleoid distribution and inheritance and offer insights into its
regulation.
DOI: 10.1126/science.adu5646