Mitochondrial fission and fusion in Dictyostelium discoideum: a search for proteins involved in membrane dynamics.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mitochondrial morphology is maintained by two distinct membrane events -fission and fusion. Altering these conserved processes can disrupt mitochondrial morphology and distribution, thereby disrupting the organelle's functionality and impeding cellular function. In higher eukaryotes, these processes are mediated by a family of dynamin-related proteins (DRP's). In the lower eukaryotes, for instance Dictyostelium discoideum, mitochondrial fission and fusion have been implicated but not yet established. To understand the overall mechanism of these dynamics across organisms, we developed an assay to identify fission and fusion events in Dictyostelium and to assess the involvement of the mitochondrial proteins, MidA, CluA, and two DRP's, DymA and DymB.

Findings

Using l

SUBMITTER: Schimmel BG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3492061 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature