Regulation of mitochondrial dynamics: mechanisms and physiologic impact.

线粒体是细胞内的微观结构，为所有细胞功能提供能量。这些“细胞的发电站”被称为“半自主”，因为它们有自己的DNA，它们融合在一起，分裂，并在细胞内具有惊人的移动性。线粒体也经历变圆或“重塑”，这是一个在科学文献中很大程度上被忽视的事实。所有这些动态事件的意义是未知的，然而，一个单独的微粒子的形状可能会影响其产生能量的能力，并可能影响其他细胞过程;即形式可能会影响功能。目前的建议侧重于研究调节线粒体重塑的生物学机制，从而调节它们的形状。这项研究计划的长期目标是确定调节线粒体形状的生物机制，并确定这些形状变化在细胞中的确切作用。

Mitochondria are microscopic structures inside cells which provide energy for all cellular functions. These "powerhouses of the cell" have been called "semi-autonomous" in that they have their own DNA, they fuse together, divide and have surprising mobility within cells. Mitochondria also undergo rounding or "remodelling", a fact that has been largely overlooked in the scientific literature. The significance of all these dynamic events is unknown, however the shape of an individual mitochondrion may influence its ability to produce energy and may impact on other cellular processes; ie form may influence function. The current proposal focuses on examining the biological mechanisms which regulate mitochondrial remodelling and therefore their shape. The long term goals of this research program are to identify the biological machinery that regulates the shape of mitochondria and to determine the precise role of these shape changes in cells.