Inhibition of mitochondrial fission prevents cell cycle progression in lung cancer

Mitochondria exist in dynamic networks that undergo fusion and fission. Mitochondrial fusion and fission are mediated by several GTPases in the outer mitochondrial membrane, notably mitofusin-2 (Mfn-2), which promotes fusion, and dynamin-related protein (Drp-1), which promotes fission. We report that human lung cancer cell lines exhibit an imbalance of Drp-1/Mfn-2 expression, which promotes a state of mitochondrial fission. Lung tumor tissue samples from patients demonstrated a similar increase in Drp-1 and decrease in Mfn-2 when compared to adjacent healthy lung. Complementary approaches to restore mitochondrial network formation in lung cancer cells by overexpression of Mfn-2, Drp-1 inhibition, or Drp-1…

• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: NIH‐R01‐CA125541‐04, NIH‐R01‐GM094220, NIH‐R01‐CA 129501‐02, 1RC1HL099462‐01, NIH‐RO1‐HL071115, NIH‐K08‐HL080082