Mitochondrial carrier homolog 2 (MTCH2)

Mitochondrial carrier homolog 2 (MTCH2), also known as MIMP, is a member of the solute carrier family 25 (SLC25) located on the outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) (UniProt Q9Y6C9). Unlike typical SLC25 transporters that reside in the inner membrane, MTCH2 functions as a protein insertase, facilitating the integration of tail-anchored and alpha-helical proteins into the OMM, and acts as a lipid scramblase (PMID: 36264808, 38882047). It is a critical regulator of apoptosis, serving as a receptor for the pro-apoptotic protein tBID to trigger mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (PMID: 22326460). MTCH2 also modulates mitochondrial metabolism and dynamics, influencing the balance between oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis (PMID: 33509092). Genetic variants of MTCH2 are strongly linked to obesity and increased body mass index (BMI) in genome-wide association studies (PMID: 19060910). Furthermore, its dysregulation is implicated in various malignancies, such as acute myeloid leukemia and glioma, and neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease (PMID: 32614951, 38882047). While direct clinical inhibitors are not yet standard, MTCH2 is an emerging therapeutic target for metabolic and oncological interventions.

Other names

MIMPSLC25A50HSPC032Mitochondrial carrier 2Met-induced mitochondrial proteinSolute carrier family 25 member 50

Modulation of mitochondrial apoptosis via tBID recruitment (PMID: 22326460), regulation of mitochondrial metabolic shift between oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis (PMID: 33509092), and facilitation of outer mitochondrial membrane protein insertion (PMID: 36264808).