[DRP1](/proteins/drp1-protein) (Dynamin 1-Like Protein), encoded by the DNM1L gene, is a key mediator of mitochondrial fission and peroxisomal division[@bossy2010]. It is essential for mitochondrial dynamics and its dysfunction is implicated in major neurodegenerative diseases[@wang2019].
Function
The DRP1 gene encodes a 736-amino acid GTPase:
Mitochondrial fission: Mediates scission of mitochondrial outer membrane
GTP hydrolysis: Self-assembles into rings that hydrolyze GTP to drive membrane constriction
recruitment: Recruited to mitochondria by receptors MFF, MiD49, and MiD50
Cell division: Essential for embryonic development and cell proliferation
[Apoptosis](/entities/apoptosis): Regulates mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization during apoptosis
Disease Associations
Alzheimer's Disease
Mitochondrial dysfunction: DRP1 abnormalities contribute to mitochondrial network fragmentation[@kageyama2012]
The study of Drp1 Gene Dynamin 1 Like Protein has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
See Also
[Mitochondrial Dynamics](/mechanisms/mitochondrial-dynamics) Fusion and fission mechanisms
Mitochondrial Fission - Fission pathway
[Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons- [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease) Parkinson's Disease - Disease association
[Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease) Disease association
[Bossy B, et al, Dynamin-related protein 1 in mitochondrial dynamics and neurodegeneration (2010)](https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0117-10.2010)
[Wang W, et al, Mitochondrial fission and fusion in neurodegenerative diseases (2019)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2018.03.016)
[Kageyama Y, et al, Mitochondrial dynamics in neurodegeneration (2012)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcb.2011.11.002)
[Reddy PH, et al, Dynamin-related protein 1 and mitochondrial fission in Alzheimer's disease (2011)](https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-2011-101605)
[Song M, et al, Mitochondrial fission and fusion in Parkinson's disease (2013)](https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3564)
[Itoh K, et al, Mitochondrial dynamics in neurodegeneration (2018)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceca.2018.02.006)
[Van Humbeeck C, et al, DNM1L/Drp1 in amyloid-beta induced mitochondrial dysfunction (2018)](https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-170857)
[Manczak M, et al, Mitochondrial dynamics in normal and disease states (2020)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mito.2020.07.004)
Pathway Diagram
The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving DRP1 Gene - Dynamin 1-Like Protein discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis: