Review Article: Dynamin-Related Protein 1 in Cancer Progression: Mechanisms and Implications.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cell Biology
• Mitochondrial Dynamics

Background:

• Dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) regulates mitochondrial fission, a process vital for cellular functions.
• Mitochondrial dynamics are increasingly recognized for their role in cancer pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the multifaceted roles of DRP1 in various aspects of cancer progression.
• To highlight DRP1 as a potential therapeutic target for anticancer strategies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating DRP1 function in cancer.
• Analysis of DRP1's involvement in metabolic reprogramming, metastasis, drug resistance, cancer stem cell maintenance, and cell death.

Main Results:

• DRP1 promotes tumor growth by altering cellular metabolism (glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation).
• DRP1 facilitates cancer metastasis through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and regulation of mitochondrial dynamics.
• DRP1 contributes to chemoresistance and maintains cancer stem cell (CSC) stemness.
• DRP1 influences programmed cell death pathways, including apoptosis and ferroptosis.

Conclusions:

• DRP1 is a central regulator linking mitochondrial dynamics to key oncogenic processes.
• Targeting DRP1 offers a promising strategy for overcoming drug resistance and eliminating CSC populations.
• DRP1 inhibition can sensitize tumors to existing therapies and suppress cancer progression.