title: Dynamic regulation of mitochondrial fission through modification of the dynamin-related protein Drp1.
abstract: Mitochondria in cells comprise a tubulovesicular network shaped continuously by complementary fission and fusion events. The mammalian Drp1 protein plays a key role in fission, while Mfn1, Mfn2, and OPA1 are required for fusion. Shifts in the balance between these opposing processes can occur rapidly, indicating that modifications to these proteins may regulate mitochondrial membrane dynamics. We highlight posttranslational modifications of the mitochondrial fission protein Drp1, for which these regulatory mechanisms are best characterized. This dynamin-related GTPase undergoes a number of steps to mediate mitochondrial fission, including translocation from cytoplasm to the mitochondrial outer membrane, higher-order assembly into spirals, GTP hydrolysis associated with a conformational change and membrane deformation, and ultimately disassembly. Many of these steps may be influenced by covalent modification of Drp1. We discuss the dynamic nature of Drp1 modifications and how they contribute not only to the normal regulation of mitochondrial division, but also to neuropathologic processes.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Chuang-Rung
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blackstone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D034281:Dynamins / Q000378:metabolism*; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism*; D051336:Mitochondrial Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D025801:Ubiquitin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D025801:Ubiquitin; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases; C110768:DNM1L protein, human; D034281:Dynamins