Sharpening the scissors: mitochondrial fission with aid

Abstract

Over the past 5 yr, research in mitochondrial morphology has advanced rapidly, mainly as a result of the identification of protein factors involved in mitochondrial fission and fusion. The pathological relevance of these processes becomes clear as apoptotic cell death evidently involves mitochondrial fission and fusion machinery. Although the mechanisms by which cells maintain mitochondrial morphology are now beginning to be understood, interrelation between mitochondrial function and morphology is still not clear. This review describes the recent progress made in mitochondrial fission studies and ventures to seek an intricate link between morphology and function of mitochondria.