Mitochondrial dynamics: the intersection of form and function.
Mitochondria within a cell exist as a population in a dynamic -morphological continuum. The balance of mitochondrial fusion and fission dictates a spectrum of shapes from interconnected networks to fragmented individual units. This plasticity bestows the adaptive flexibility needed to adjust to changing cellular stresses and metabolic demands. The mechanisms that regulate mitochondrial dynamics, their importance in normal cell biology, and the roles they play in disease conditions are only beginning to be understood. Dysfunction of mitochondrial dynamics has been identified as a possible disease mechanism in Parkinson's disease. This chapter will introduce the budding field of mitochondrial dynamics and explore unique characteristics of affected neurons in Parkinson's disease that increase susceptibility to disruptions in mitochondrial dynamics.
Department of Pharmacology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Andrew
A
Ferree
Orian
O
Shirihai
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D008561:Membrane Fusion; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology*; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D000071617:Protein Deglycase DJ-1; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D000099202:PTEN-Induced Putative Kinase
D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D000071617:Protein Deglycase DJ-1; D011494:Protein Kinases; D000099202:PTEN-Induced Putative Kinase; C105131:PARK7 protein, human