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Review
. 2020 May 1;10(5):1278-1293.
eCollection 2020.

The role of mitochondrial dynamics in human cancers

Yawen Ma  1   2 , Lihua Wang  1   2 , Renbing Jia  1   2
Affiliations
Review

The role of mitochondrial dynamics in human cancers

Yawen Ma et al. Am J Cancer Res. .

Abstract

Mitochondria are crucial cellular organelles. Under extracellular stimulations, mitochondria undergo constant fusion and fission dynamics to meet different cellular demands. Mitochondrial dynamics is regulated by specialized proteins and lipids. Dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics has been linked to the initiation and progression of diverse human cancers, affecting aspects such as cancer metastasis, drug resistance and cancer stem cell survival, suggesting that targeting mitochondrial dynamics is a potential therapeutic strategy. In the present review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying fusion and fission dynamics and discuss the effects of mitochondrial dynamics on the development of human cancers.

Keywords: Mitochondrial dynamics; cancer stem cells; human cancers; lipids.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A schematic diagram of mitochondrial dynamics. Human mitochondria undergo constant fusion and fission dynamics. The fusion of the OMM is mediated by Mfn1/2. PA generated by MitoPLD promotes fusion of the OMM. CL and Opa1 coordinate IMM fusion. Mic60 also interacts with Opa1. ER tubules mark sites of fission. During mitochondrial fission, Drp1 is recruited to mitochondria by receptors such as Fis1, Mid49, Mid51 and Mff. GDAP1 and sacsin are two additional proteins localized in the OMM that facilitate fission. Drp1 activity is regulated by posttranslational modifications such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination. The preconstriction process is completed by actin filaments, and Drp1 performs mitochondrial scission. Lipids, including ceramides, PA and DAG, participate in mitochondrial fission. PA, phosphatidic acid; OMM, outer mitochondrial membrane; CL, cardiolipin; Drp1, dynamin-related protein 1; DAG, diacylglycerol; ER, endoplasmic reticulum.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cellular physiological activities affected by mitochondrial dynamics. Mitochondrial dynamics is tightly linked to the cell cycle, apoptosis, cell migration, mitophagy, apoptosis and ROS production.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Human cancers connected with dysregulation of mitochondrial dynamics.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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