The goal of this proposal is to study how hepatocytes control the number, shape, and distribution of mitochondria. It is well known that mitochondria perform vital cellular functions in the hepatocyte including ATP generation, calcium homeostasis, regulation of redox state, and participation in signaling cascades that can regulate cell death. While mitochondrial dynamics appear to play an important role in these processes, the molecular mechanisms by which these essential organelles change their form and cytoplasmic location are poorly understood. Recently, we and others have identified two large GTPases, DLP1 and Mfn, which are found to participate in maintaining normal mitochondrial morphology in yeast and rat hepatocytes by mediating membrane fission and fusion. DLP1 is a dynamin-like protein that is presumed to function in mitochondrial division via its GTPase activity while Mfn has been reported to be a major factor involved in mitochondrial fusion. Our published work and substantial preliminary data in hepatocytes support the central hypothesis of this proposal that hepatic mitochondrial morphology and function is maintained through the antagonistic action of two large GTPases, DLP1 and Mfn. This proposal describes novel in vivo and in vitro studies, combined with numerous molecular and immunological reagents that we have made, to define the role of DLP1 and Mfn in regulating mitochondrial shape in the hepatocyte and to provide important insights into how these large GTPases function. We will pursue three Specific Aims. First, using state-of-the-art microscopic imaging techniques, we will test the respective roles of DLP1 and Mfn in maintaining mitochondrial number and morphology in living hepatocytes. Second, structural studies will define, at a molecular level, how DLP1 acts to sever mitochondrial membranes and whether this severing activity is enhanced by putative binding partners that we have already identified. Third, we will define how cellular signaling cascades regulate DLP1 and Mfn activity to subsequently alter the form and function of hepatocyte mitochondria. Information gathered from these studies will greatly increase our understanding of how mitochondrial shape and number are regulated and contribute to hepatocellular physiology and injury in health and disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK061991-02
Application #
6795814
Study Section
General Medicine A Subcommittee 2 (GMA)
Program Officer
Serrano, Jose
Project Start
2003-09-01
Project End
2008-06-30
Budget Start
2004-07-01
Budget End
2005-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$236,349
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Rochester
Department
Anesthesiology
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
041294109
City
Rochester
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14627
Galloway, Chad A; Yoon, Yisang (2015) Mitochondrial dynamics in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Antioxid Redox Signal 22:1545-62
Wang, Li; Yu, Tianzheng; Lee, Hakjoo et al. (2015) Decreasing mitochondrial fission diminishes vascular smooth muscle cell migration and ameliorates intimal hyperplasia. Cardiovasc Res 106:272-83
Yu, Tianzheng; Wang, Li; Yoon, Yisang (2015) Morphological control of mitochondrial bioenergetics. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) 20:229-46
Yu, Tianzheng; Wang, Li; Lee, Hakjoo et al. (2014) Decreasing mitochondrial fission prevents cholestatic liver injury. J Biol Chem 289:34074-88
Lee, Hakjoo; Yoon, Yisang (2014) Transient contraction of mitochondria induces depolarization through the inner membrane dynamin OPA1 protein. J Biol Chem 289:11862-72
Lee, Hakjoo; Yoon, Yisang (2014) Mitochondrial fission: regulation and ER connection. Mol Cells 37:89-94
Galloway, Chad A; Lee, Hakjoo; Brookes, Paul S et al. (2014) Decreasing mitochondrial fission alleviates hepatic steatosis in a murine model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 307:G632-41
Galloway, Chad A; Yoon, Yisang (2013) Mitochondrial morphology in metabolic diseases. Antioxid Redox Signal 19:415-30
Jhun, Bong Sook; Lee, Hakjoo; Jin, Zheng-Gen et al. (2013) Glucose stimulation induces dynamic change of mitochondrial morphology to promote insulin secretion in the insulinoma cell line INS-1E. PLoS One 8:e60810
Galloway, Chad A; Lee, Hakjoo; Yoon, Yisang (2012) Mitochondrial morphology-emerging role in bioenergetics. Free Radic Biol Med 53:2218-28

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