Roles of dynamin-related protein 1 in the regulation of mitochondrial fission and apoptosis in response to UV stimuli

Zhenzhen Zhang, Jie Feng, Shengnan Wu*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Mitochondria are dynamic structures that frequently divide and fuse with one another to form interconnecting network. This network disintegrates into punctiform organelles during apoptosis. However, it remains unclear whether this event has a significant impact on the rate of cell death or only accompanies apoptosis as an epiphenomenon. In this study, we investigate the role of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), a large GTPase that mediates outer mitochondrial membrane fission, in mitochondrial morphology and apoptosis in response to UV irradiation in human lung adenocarcinoma cells (ASTC-a-1) and HeLa cells. Using time-lapse fluorescent imaging, we find that Drp1 primarily distributes in cytosol under physiological conditions. After UV treatment, Drp1 translocates from cytosol to mitochondria, indicating the enhancement of Drp1 mitochondrial accumulation. Down-regulation of Drp1 by shRNA inhibits UV-induced apoptosis. Our results suggest that Drp1 is involved in the regulation of transition from a reticulo-tubular to a punctiform mitochondrial phenotype and mitochondrial fission plays an important role in UV-induced apoptosis.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBiophotonics and Immune Responses VI
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes
EventBiophotonics and Immune Responses VI - San Francisco, CA, United States
Duration: 23 Jan 201124 Jan 2011

Publication series

NameProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume7900
ISSN (Print)1605-7422

Conference

ConferenceBiophotonics and Immune Responses VI
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco, CA
Period23/01/1124/01/11

Keywords

  • Apoptosis
  • Drp1
  • Fission
  • UV

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