Mitochondrial dynamics (fission / fusion)

Definition

Category: Network quality control

Also known as: fission, fusion, DRP1, mitofusin, OPA1

Mitochondria continuously divide (fission, via DRP1) and merge (fusion, via mitofusins MFN1/2 and OPA1). This dynamic balance sorts damaged components for mitophagy, mixes contents, and adapts the network to metabolic demand. Disordered dynamics accompany many age-related and neurodegenerative conditions.

Key points

• Fission isolates damaged segments so they can be removed by mitophagy — linking dynamics to quality control.
• Fusion allows complementation of partially damaged mitochondria and content mixing.
• No approved intervention on this site directly targets fission/fusion; this is a mechanism-context node.

Sourcing

Standard mitochondrial-dynamics reviews (Chan; Youle). Review-level description.

Reference synthesis (tier 4); verification: review_level_2026-07-12.