Bioenergetic role of mitochondrial fusion and fission

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles. Frequent cycles of fusion and fission adapt the morphology of the mitochondrial compartment to the metabolic needs of the cell. Mitochondrial fusion is particularly important in respiratory active cells. It allows the spreading of metabolites, enzymes, and...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochimica et biophysica acta 2012-10, Vol.1817 (10), p.1833-1838
Main Author: Westermann, Benedikt
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging
Aging - genetics
Aging - metabolism
Animals
autophagy
Autophagy - physiology
energy metabolism
Energy Metabolism - physiology
enzymes
genes
Humans
metabolites
mitochondria
Mitochondria - genetics
Mitochondria - metabolism
Mitochondrial dynamics
Mitochondrial Dynamics - physiology
Mitochondrial morphology
Mutation
Respiratory capacity
signal transduction
Signal Transduction - physiology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles. Frequent cycles of fusion and fission adapt the morphology of the mitochondrial compartment to the metabolic needs of the cell. Mitochondrial fusion is particularly important in respiratory active cells. It allows the spreading of metabolites, enzymes, and mitochondrial gene products throughout the entire mitochondrial compartment. This serves to optimize mitochondrial function and counteracts the accumulation of mitochondrial mutations during aging. Fragmented mitochondria are frequently found in resting cells, and mitochondrial fission plays an important role in the removal of damaged organelles by autophagy. Thus, mitochondrial fusion and fission both contribute to maintenance of mitochondrial function and optimize bioenergetic capacity. Multiple signalling pathways regulate the machinery of mitochondrial dynamics to adapt the shape of the mitochondrial compartment to the metabolic conditions of the cell. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: 17th European Bioenergetics Conference (EBEC 2012). ► Mitochondrial dynamics and morphology reflect respiratory activity. ► Mitochondrial fusion is required for maximum respiratory capacity. ► Mitochondrial fission plays a role in degradation of dysfunctional organelles.
ISSN:0005-2728
0006-3002
1879-2650
DOI:10.1016/j.bbabio.2012.02.033