PUBLICATION

Mitochondrial dynamics in mammalian health and disease

Authors
Liesa, M., Palacín, M., and Zorzano, A.
ID
ZDB-PUB-110128-6
Date
2009
Source
Physiological reviews   89(3): 799-845 (Review)
Registered Authors
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis/physiology*
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases/physiology
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins/genetics
  • Membrane Proteins/physiology
  • Mitochondria/physiology*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins/genetics
  • Mitochondrial Proteins/physiology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases/genetics
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases/physiopathology
PubMed
19584314 Full text @ Physiol. Rev.
Abstract
The meaning of the word mitochondrion (from the Greek mitos, meaning thread, and chondros, grain) illustrates that the heterogeneity of mitochondrial morphology has been known since the first descriptions of this organelle. Such a heterogeneous morphology is explained by the dynamic nature of mitochondria. Mitochondrial dynamics is a concept that includes the movement of mitochondria along the cytoskeleton, the regulation of mitochondrial architecture (morphology and distribution), and connectivity mediated by tethering and fusion/fission events. The relevance of these events in mitochondrial and cell physiology has been partially unraveled after the identification of the genes responsible for mitochondrial fusion and fission. Furthermore, during the last decade, it has been identified that mutations in two mitochondrial fusion genes (MFN2 and OPA1) cause prevalent neurodegenerative diseases (Charcot-Marie Tooth type 2A and Kjer disease/autosomal dominant optic atrophy). In addition, other diseases such as type 2 diabetes or vascular proliferative disorders show impaired MFN2 expression. Altogether, these findings have established mitochondrial dynamics as a consolidated area in cellular physiology. Here we review the most significant findings in the field of mitochondrial dynamics in mammalian cells and their implication in human pathologies.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping