Analysis of functional domains of rat mitochondrial Fis1, the mitochondrial fission-stimulating protein

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 Jul 29;333(2):650-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.05.154.

Abstract

In yeast, mitochondrial-fission is regulated by the cytosolic dynamin-like GTPase (Dnm1p) in conjunction with a peripheral protein, Mdv1p, and a C-tail-anchored outer membrane protein, Fis1p. In mammals, a dynamin-related protein (Drp1) and Fis1 are involved in the mitochondrial-fission reaction as Dnm1 and Fis1 orthologues, respectively. The involvement of other component(s), such as the Mdv1 homologue, and the mechanisms regulating mitochondrial-fission remain unclear. Here, we identified rat Fis1 (rFis1) and analyzed its structure-function relationship. Blue-native-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that rFis1 formed a approximately 200-kDa complex in the outer mitochondrial membrane. Its expression in HeLa cells promoted extensive mitochondrial fragmentation, and gene knock-down by RNAi induced extension of the mitochondrial networks. Taking advantage of these properties, we analyzed functional domains of rFis1. These experiments revealed that the N-terminal and C-terminal segments are both essential for oligomeric rFis1 interaction, and the middle TPR-like domains regulate proper oligomer assembly. Any mutations that disturb the proper oligomeric assembly compromise mitochondrial division-stimulating activity of rFis1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria, Liver / metabolism*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Molecular Weight
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Organ Specificity
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Rats
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Fis1 protein, rat
  • Mitochondrial Proteins