title: Staying in aerobic shape: how the structural integrity of mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA is maintained.
abstract: The structure and integrity of the mitochondrial compartment are features essential for it to function efficiently. The maintenance of mitochondrial structure in cells ranging from yeast to humans has been shown to require both ongoing fission and fusion. Recent characterization of many of the molecular components that direct mitochondrial fission and fusion events have led to a more complete understanding of how these processes take place. Further, mitochondrial fragmentation observed when cells undergo apoptosis requires mitochondrial fission, underlying the importance of mitochondrial dynamics in cellular homeostasis. Mitochondrial structure also impacts mitochondrial DNA inheritance. Recent studies suggest that faithful transmission of mitochondrial DNA to daughter cells might require a mitochondrial membrane tethering apparatus.
authors.affiliation: Section of Molecular and Cellular Biology, 1 Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Sidney V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cassidy-Stone
authors.forename: Shelly L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Meeusen
authors.forename: Jodi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nunnari
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D002451:Cell Compartmentation / Q000235:genetics; D019069:Cell Respiration / Q000502:physiology*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007425:Intracellular Membranes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008561:Membrane Fusion / Q000235:genetics; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008938:Mitosis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial