Mitochondrial fission, fusion, and stress

RJ Youle, AM Van Der Bliek - Science, 2012 - science.org
RJ Youle, AM Van Der Bliek
Science, 2012science.org
Mitochondrial fission and fusion play critical roles in maintaining functional mitochondria
when cells experience metabolic or environmental stresses. Fusion helps mitigate stress by
mixing the contents of partially damaged mitochondria as a form of complementation.
Fission is needed to create new mitochondria, but it also contributes to quality control by
enabling the removal of damaged mitochondria and can facilitate apoptosis during high
levels of cellular stress. Disruptions in these processes affect normal development, and they …
Mitochondrial fission and fusion play critical roles in maintaining functional mitochondria when cells experience metabolic or environmental stresses. Fusion helps mitigate stress by mixing the contents of partially damaged mitochondria as a form of complementation. Fission is needed to create new mitochondria, but it also contributes to quality control by enabling the removal of damaged mitochondria and can facilitate apoptosis during high levels of cellular stress. Disruptions in these processes affect normal development, and they have been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s.
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