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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Studying Mitochondrial Structure and Function in Drosophila Ovaries
Published on: January 4, 2017
The molecular mechanism and cellular functions of mitochondrial division
Laura L Lackner1, Jodi M Nunnari
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Abstract:
Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that continuously divide and fuse. These dynamic processes regulate the size, shape, and distribution of the mitochondrial network. In addition, mitochondrial division and fusion play critical roles in cell physiology. This review will focus on the dynamic process of mitochondrial division, which is highly conserved from yeast to humans. We will discuss what is known about how the essential components of the division machinery function to mediate mitochondrial division and then focus on proteins that have been implicated in division but whose functions remain unclear. We will then briefly discuss the cellular functions of mitochondrial division and the problems that arise when division is disrupted.
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