InterPro domain: IPR021181

Mitochondrial Rho (Miro) proteins are aberrant members of the small GTPase superfamily found in most eukaryotes. Miro contains a transmembrane region located at the C terminus anchors the protein to the outer membrane of mitochondria, the GTPase domains and EF-hands located in the cytoplasm. Miro and its cytoplasmic binding partner Milton/TRAK link mitochondria to kinesin and dynein molecular motors in various cell types [ 1 ]. Mammals have two Miro orthologs , Miro1 and Miro2. They mediate mitochondrial trafficking in neurons by linking mitochondria to kinesin and dynein motor proteins for their transport in axons and dendrites [ 2 , 3 ]. Yeasts have one Miro homologue, known as Gem1, which is part of the ERMES complex that links the ER to mitochondria [ 4 ]. Interestingly, ERMES is absent in metazoa [ 5 ].

1. C. elegans miro-1 Mutation Reduces the Amount of Mitochondria and Extends Life Span. PLoS ONE 11, e0153233
2. Miro1: new wheels for transferring mitochondria. EMBO J. 33, 939-41
3. Regulation of mitochondrial trafficking, function and quality control by the mitochondrial GTPases Miro1 and Miro2. Springerplus 4, L33
4. The conserved GTPase Gem1 regulates endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria connections. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 108, 14151-6
5. Of yeast, mice and men: MAMs come in two flavors. Biol. Direct 12, 3