Local Mitochondrial Growth Initiated by Femtosecond Laser‐Evoked Ca ²⁺ Signaling

ABSTRACT

Mitochondrial structural remodeling is closely coupled to intracellular Ca ²⁺ signaling, and precise spatiotemporal control of this process is critical for understanding mitochondrial physiology. Here, we report an optical approach based on femtoSOC (femtosecond laser‐controlled store‐operated calcium channel) activation to induce localized Ca ²⁺ influx and trigger region‐specific mitochondrial growth in living cells. The Ca ²⁺ ‐regulated mitochondrial growth relies on MCU‐dependent Ca ²⁺ uptake and OPA1‐mediated fusion but is not primarily mediated by the AMPK/CaMKKβ pathway. This study provides a minimally invasive strategy for precise optical control of mitochondrial dynamics and reveals an AMPK‐distinct pathway linking localized Ca ²⁺ signaling to mitochondrial structural remodeling.