Mechanisms and Functions of Mitochondrial Dynamics

Mitochondrial morphology changes continuously through fusion, fission, and movement in response to different physiologic requirements of the cell. These highly dynamic behaviors are crucial for cell life and death, and are linked to development, apoptosis, and maintenance of cellular homeostasis; as well as to pathologies, such as neurologic and metabolic diseases. A large number of novel proteins involved in regulating mitochondrial dynamics have been discovered in the past decade. Large GTPase family proteins and their regulators control mitochondrial dynamics. Here, we summarize current knowledge about the molecular machineries regulating mitochondrial fusion/fission and the role of mitochondrial dynamics in cell pathophysiology.