New insights into the function and regulation of mitochondrial fission

Mitochondrial morphology changes dynamically by coordinated fusion and fission and cytoskeleton-based transport. Cycles of outer and inner membrane fusion and fission are required for the exchange of damaged mitochondrial genome DNA, proteins, and lipids with those of healthy mitochondria to maintain robust mitochondrial structure and function. These dynamics are crucial for cellular life and death, because they are essential for cellular development and homeostasis, as well as apoptosis. Disruption of these functions leads to cellular dysfunction, resulting in neurologic disorders and metabolic diseases. The cytoplasmic dynamin-related GTPase Drpl plays a key role in mitochondrial fission, while Mfn1, Mfn2 and Opal are involved in fusion reaction. Here, we review current knowledge regarding the regulation and physiologic relevance of Drpl-dependent mitochondrial fission: the initial recruitment and assembly of Drpl on the mitochondrial fission foci, regulation of Drpl activity by post-translational modifications, and the role of mitochondrial fission in cell pathophysiology. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.