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。 利用分子生物学技术，我们可以用荧光蛋白标记线粒体，使它们“发光”，这样就可以在活细胞内直接观察线粒体形状的变化，在真实的时间，采用荧光显微镜。使用这种技术，我们将奋进回答的问题：什么是线粒体重塑的细胞线索和参与者？这些与线粒体分裂的机制有何不同？此外，我们还将研究线粒体重塑对线粒体功能和细胞生理的影响;线粒体形状的变化如何影响线粒体功能？线粒体重塑在细胞中的后果是什么？追寻上述问题的答案将为线粒体如何以及为什么改变其形状提供线索，并促进对这些重要结构在活细胞中的作用的更好理解。

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. Using molecular biology techniques, we can label mitochondria with a fluorescent protein, causing them to "glow" so that changes in mitochondrial shape can be observed directly within living cells, in real time, employing a fluorescence microscope. Using this technique we will endeavor to answer the questions: What are the cellular cues and participants in mitochondrial remodelling? How are these different from the mechanisms of mitochondrial division? In addition, we will examine the impact of mitochondrial remodelling upon mitochondrial function and cell physiology; how do changes in mitochondria shape affect mitochondrial function? What are the consequences in the cell of mitochondria remodelling? Pursuing the answers to the above questions will yield clues as to how and why mitochondria change their shape, and foster a greater understanding of the role of these important structures in living cells.