Essential for mitochondrial network organization, mitochondrial metabolism and cell growth at organism and cellular level (PubMed:19888333). Important during development for the up-regulation of mitochondrial activity during the transition to higher larval stages (PubMed:19888333). Regulates mitochondrial iron homeostasis (PubMed:26427876). May play an important role in mitochondrial protein synthesis (By similarity). May also participate in mitochondrial DNA replication (By similarity). May bind to mitochondrial DNA D-loops and contribute to nucleoid stability (By similarity). Plays a role in regulating the production of reactive oxygen species in response to heat stress (PubMed:22245785). In the mitochondrial inner membrane, enriched in sites with the potential to form contacts with the outer membrane. The N-terminal domain interacts with the inner surface of the mitochondrial outer membrane and the C-terminal domain localizes in a specific matrix compartment, where it is associated with nucleoids. RNAi-mediated knockdown results in an increased adult lifespan (PubMed:22245785). RNAi-mediated knockdown at the L1 stage of larval development results in arrest in the majority of animals at this larval stage (PubMed:19888333). Some surviving animals arrest during the subsequent larval stages (PubMed:19888333). RNAi-mediated knockdown in young adults results in a gradual decrease in the reproduction rate over time whereby initially fewer embryos are produced as compared to wild-type animals, and eventually adults fail to reproduce (PubMed:19888333). The few embryos that are produced by the young adults are viable, but animals arrest at the L1 larval stage (PubMed:19888333). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in sufficient mitochondrial function at the L1 larval stage, and no obvious changes in mitochondrial mass (PubMed:19888333). However, RNAi-mediated knockdown results in defects in mitochondrial activity and structure characterized by reduced mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase and citrate synthase activity compared to wild-type animals at later stages of development, and a disorganized mitochondrial network with thinner mitochondria (PubMed:19888333). RNAi-mediated knockdown results in increased levels of reactive oxygen species as compared to wild-type animals at 37 degrees Celsius (PubMed:22245785). RNAi-mediated knockdown during early developmental stages and at the L3 larval stage results in increased levels of iron and heme (PubMed:26427876). RNAi-mediated knockdown in a mics-1 mutant background results in an enhanced increase in adult lifespan as compared to the single mutants and wild-type animals (PubMed:22245785). Belongs to the AAA ATPase family. Has been shown to interact (via C-terminus) with mics-1 (via PDZ domain) (PubMed:22245785). The physiological significance of this interaction is uncertain; the mics-1 PDZ domain is expected to be in the cytoplasm. Has been shown to interact (via C-terminus) with dlg-1 (via PDZ domain) (PubMed:22245785). The physiological significance of this interaction is uncertain; the dlg-1 PDZ domain is expected to be in the cytoplasm.