Die Rolle von OPA1 bei der Fusion von Mitochondrien

Mitochondria form extensive networks that rapidly adapt to cellular demands. The formation and disassembly of these structures result from a balance between fission and fusion of the two mitochondrial membranes that are decisively controlled by Dynamin-like GTPases such as OPA1. This protein forms oligomers which mediate the fusion of the inner mitochondrial membrane by a unique mechanism that involves the generation of curvature and the extraction of cardiolipin from the lipid bilayer.