Mitochondrial cardiolipin hydrolase (PLD6)

Mitochondrial cardiolipin hydrolase (PLD6) is a mitochondrial outer membrane enzyme of the phospholipase D family with dual function as both a cardiolipin hydrolase and a single-strand specific endonuclease[1][2][5][6][12]. PLD6 is responsible for the hydrolysis of cardiolipin to generate phosphatidic acid (PA), a signaling lipid essential for mitochondrial membrane fusion processes[2][3][12]. It also has a critical role in the biogenesis of PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), where its nuclease activity is indispensable for the processing of precursor piRNA transcripts, especially during spermatogenesis, thereby safeguarding the genome against transposon-induced instability[1][3][5][6]. Loss or dysfunction of PLD6 disrupts mitochondrial dynamics and piRNA production, leading to meiotic arrest and male infertility, with associated defects in genome methylation and germ cell development[3][5]. PLD6 is a conserved protein with a characteristic H(x)K(x4)D motif that mediates its enzymatic activity, and it interacts with several mitochondrial proteins to coordinate mitochondrial dynamics and quality control[3][2].

Other names

MitoPLDZucZucchini endoribonucleaseCholine phosphatase 6Phospholipase D6Protein zucchini homologMitochondrial phospholipasePhosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D6