Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

An Improved Method to Isolate Mitochondrial Contact Sites
Published on: June 16, 2023
miR-484 regulates mitochondrial network through targeting Fis1
Kun Wang1, Bo Long, Jian-Qin Jiao
1Division of Cardiovascular Research, State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
MicroRNA-484 (miR-484) inhibits mitochondrial fission by suppressing the translation of Fis1 protein. This finding reveals a novel regulatory pathway for mitochondrial dynamics and disease.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mitochondria are vital organelles that maintain cellular health through fusion and fission.
- Dysregulated mitochondrial fission is implicated in various diseases, but its regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of microRNA-484 (miR-484) in regulating mitochondrial fission.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which miR-484 affects mitochondrial fission and apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the interaction between miR-484 and Fis1 mRNA using molecular biology techniques.
- Assessed the effects of miR-484 and Fis1 on mitochondrial fission and apoptosis in cell cultures (cardiomyocytes and adrenocortical cancer cells).
- Utilized transgenic and knockout mouse models to study the in vivo function of Foxo3a and miR-484 in myocardial infarction.
Main Results:
- miR-484 directly suppresses the translation of mitochondrial fission protein Fis1.
- miR-484 inhibits Fis1-mediated mitochondrial fission and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes and cancer cells.
- Fis1 is upregulated during anoxia, while miR-484 is downregulated, suggesting a role in stress response.
- Foxo3a acts as a transactivator of miR-484 expression.
- Foxo3a manipulation in mice altered miR-484 levels, mitochondrial fission, apoptosis, and myocardial infarction.
Conclusions:
- miR-484 is a key regulator of mitochondrial fission and apoptosis by targeting Fis1.
- The Foxo3a-miR-484 axis plays a critical role in controlling mitochondrial dynamics and cellular fate.
- This microRNA-mediated pathway offers potential therapeutic targets for diseases associated with abnormal mitochondrial fission.
Related Concept Videos
Translocation of Proteins into the Mitochondria
Sorting of outer membrane proteins:
Mitochondrial outer membrane proteins are of two types: the transmembrane, beta-barrel porins, and the membrane-anchored, alpha-helical proteins. Beta-barrel porin precursors are translocated by the TOM complex and inserted into the outer mitochondrial membrane by the SAM complex. In contrast,...
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane
Mitochondrial Protein Sorting
Most of these mitochondrial proteins are encoded by the nucleus and imported to the mitochondria as unfolded or loosely folded precursors. Mitochondrial precursors...
Mitochondrial Membranes
Porin Insertion in the Outer Mitochondrial Membrane
Three models describe the assembly of porins by the SAM complex and their insertion into the outer membrane. Model 1 suggests that porins are assembled outside the SAM channel as the...

