Bcl-2 family proteins and mitochondrial fission/fusion dynamics

• Published in: Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS Vol. 67; no. 10; pp. 1599 - 1606
• Main Authors: Autret, Arnaud, Martin, Seamus J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel Basel : SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel 01-05-2010; SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cell Biology; Gene expression; Humans; Life Sciences; Membranes; Mitochondria; Mitochondria - metabolism; Molecular biology; Multi-author Review; process control; Proteins; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - metabolism; Cell death; Mitochondrial fission/fusion; Apoptosis; Bcl-2 family
• ISSN: 1420-682X; 1420-9071
• DOI: 10.1007/s00018-010-0286-x

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles and can undergo regulated fission/fragmentation to produce smaller organelles or, alternatively, can undergo fusion to produce tubular or net-like mitochondrial structures. Although some of the molecules that control mitochondrial fission and fusion are known, new molecules and pathways that control this process continue to be discovered, suggesting that this process is more complex than previously appreciated. In addition to their crucial role in the regulation of apoptosis, recent studies have implicated members of the Bcl-2 family in maintenance of the mitochondrial network. Here, we discuss the mechanisms governing mitochondrial fission/fusion and summarize current knowledge concerning the role of Bcl-2 family members in regulating mitochondrial fission/fusion dynamics.