Review Article

Mitochondrial Dynamics in Cancer and Neurodegenerative and Neuroinflammatory Diseases

Figure 1

The dynamic nature of mitochondrial shape. (a) Main proteins involved in mitochondrial shape changes are depicted. In fused unopposed condition, DRP1 is phosphorylated and sequestered in the cytoplasm. Once dephosphorylated, it is recruited to the OMM where it oligomerizes and interacts with FIS1, MFF, or MIEF inducing constriction of membranes and, eventually, fission of mitochondria. MFNs homo- and heterooligomerization on the OMM and oligomerization between long and short isoform of Opa1 on the IMM control fusion of mitochondrial membranes. Additional proteins affecting mitochondrial shape are also shown. (b) Mitochondrial morphology in Jurkat cells overexpressing yellow fluorescent protein targeted to mitochondria. The upper panel shows a network of elongated and interconnected mitochondria. In the lower panel, mitochondria appear fragmented (Scale bar: 5 μm).
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