The dynamin-related GTPase Dnm1 regulates mitochondrial fission in yeast

Nat Cell Biol. 1999 Sep;1(5):298-304. doi: 10.1038/13014.

Abstract

The dynamin-related GTPase Dnm1 controls mitochondrial morphology in yeast. Here we show that dnm1 mutations convert the mitochondrial compartment into a planar 'net' of interconnected tubules. We propose that this net morphology results from a defect in mitochondrial fission. Immunogold labelling localizes Dnm1 to the cytoplasmic face of constricted mitochondrial tubules that appear to be dividing and to the ends of mitochondrial tubules that appear to have recently completed division. The activity of Dnm1 is epistatic to that of Fzo1, a GTPase in the outer mitochondrial membrane that regulates mitochondrial fusion. dnm1 mutations prevent mitochondrial fragmentation in fzo1 mutant strains. These findings indicate that Dnm1 regulates mitochondrial fission, assembling on the cytoplasmic face of mitochondrial tubules at sites at which division will occur.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Crosses, Genetic
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism*
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases / metabolism*
  • Intracellular Membranes / physiology
  • Intracellular Membranes / ultrastructure
  • Membrane Fusion
  • Mitochondria / physiology*
  • Mitochondria / ultrastructure*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / physiology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / ultrastructure*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins*

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins
  • GTP Phosphohydrolases
  • DNM1 protein, S cerevisiae