Dynamin-related protein 1-mediated mitochondrial fission and cerebral ischemia

Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) is a major protein for regulating mitochondrial fission. Its activity is associated with the post-translational modification, mainly including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation, and S-nitrosylation. During the cerebral ischemia, Drp1 is activated and translocates from the cytoplasm to the mitochondrial outer membrane, mediates mitochondrial fission and eliminates damaged mitochondria. Drp1 plays the important roles in the pathological processes of ischemic neuronal apoptosis, necrotic apoptosis, and mitophagy. Excessive mitochondria fission or accumulation of damaged mitochondria will aggravate neuronal injury. Key words: Dynamins; Mitochondria; Reactive Oxygen Species; Brain Ischemia