Cytoskeleton and mitochondrial morphology and function.

It has been well established that the cytoskeleton is an essential modulator of cell morphology and motility, intracytoplasmic transport and mitosis, however cytoskeletal linkage to the organelles has not been unequivocally demonstrated. Indeed, cytoskeleton appears to be essential in determining and modulating gene phenotype as a function of cellular environment. According to recent studies, the organization of the cytoskeleton network together with associated protein(s) could be essential in regulating mitochondrial function and particularly the permeability of the mitochondrial outer membrane to ADP. The aim of this chapter is to summarize the main properties of the cytoskeletal environment of mitochondria and the possible role(s) of this network in mitochondrial function in myocytes.