[The role of mitochondrial dynamics in neurodegeneration]

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles, which undergo continuous cycles of fission and fusion. Mitochondrial dynamics (fission and fusion) plays important roles in maintaining neuronal functions, including biogenesis, mitochondrial distribution and cell injury or death. Mfnl/2 and Opal mediate mitochondrial fusion, whereas Drp1 and Fis1 regulate mitochondrial fission. Mutations of Opal cause autosomal dominant optic atrophy, and mutations of Mfn2 lead to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2A. Moreover, increasing evidences show that abnormal mitochondrial dynamics are involved in pathogenesis of late-onset neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. This paper reviews the current advances of abnormal mitochondrial dynamics relevant to neuronal loss in neurodegenerative diseases.