Drosophila tumor suppressor merlin is essential for mitochondria morphogenesis during spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

Mitochondria morphogenesis during spermatogenesis in Drosophila carrying merlin gene mutations was examined by electron and fluorescent microscopy. Hypomorphic allele mer3; null allele mer4; and genetic construct Mer+, which encodes full-size protein, were applied in the experiments. A detailed analysis of anomalies in spermatogenesis induced by these mutations shows that Merlin is important for the formation, structural support, and modification of the apparatus of mitochondria (nebenkern). The possible role of a Merlin protein as an adaptor protein that can link mitochondria with the cytoskeleton and its activity defined by molecule conformation are discussed.