Colonocyte keratins stabilize mitochondria and contribute to mitochondrial energy metabolism
American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology (2024)
Published on December 3, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpgi.00220.2023
Core:
Advanced Imaging Core
Abstract
In this study, we show that colonocyte intermediate filament protein keratin 8 is important for stabilizing mitochondria and maintaining mitochondrial energy metabolism, as keratin 8-deficient colonocytes display smaller, rounder, and more motile mitochondria, diminished mitochondrial respiration, and altered Ca2+ dynamics. Changes in fusion-regulating proteins are rescued with reexpression of keratin 8. These alterations in colonocyte mitochondrial homeostasis contribute to keratin 8-associated colitis pathophysiology.