VPS13D mutations affect mitochondrial homeostasis and locomotion in Caenorhabditis elegans

Mitochondria control cellular metabolism, serve as hubs for signaling and organelle communication, and are important for the health and survival of cells. VPS13D encodes a cytoplasmic lipid transfer protein that regulates mitochondrial morphology, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum contact, and quality control of mitochondria. VPS13D mutations have been reported in patients displaying ataxic and spastic gait disorders with variable age of onset. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to create VPS13D-related spinocerebellar ataxia-4 missense mutations and C-terminal deletion in VPS13D's ortholog vps-13D in Caenorhabditis elegans. Consistent with SCAR4 patient movement disorders and mitochondrial dysfunction, vps-13D mutant worms exhibit locomotion defects and abnormal mitochondrial morphology. Importantly, animals with a vps-13D deletion or a N3017I missense mutation exhibited an increase in mitochondrial unfolded protein response. The cellular and behavioral changes caused by VPS13D mutations in C. elegans advance the development of animal models that are needed to study SCAR4 pathogenesis.